K9 Officer Back on the Job

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A Memphis police K9 officer, who was stabbed in the line of duty, is back on the job, and now receiving praises.

Gunner the dog has been recognized by the Memphis Police Department and the Memphis City Council. Gunner locked his jaws on a burglary suspect and didn't let go despite being stabbed about ten times.

He is now back on the job.

"He's back full time, off limited duty, not having to pay him for being at home now, he's back working and all," says Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin. "He has an O.J.I so we didn't dock him anything."

Godwin may be joking about docking the police dog's pay, but he's serious when he says Gunner is considered a member of the Memphis Police Force.

"K9 was brought on for the department years ago so that an officer didn't have to go in a burglary and look for the suspect where the dogs can smell and look for the suspect," says Godwin.

And that's just what Gunner did. Early this year, officers responded to a burglary call at Broadway Pizza. Gunner found the suspect and held him for his partner, despite being attacked by the armed man.

"This dog was prepared to give his life for his partner," says Godwin. "The dog got stabbed like 10 to 11 times in the mouth, all over his body. The dog keep doing what he could do, to defend and never give up."

And now Gunner is being recognized, first receiving a medal from the MPD and last week being honored by the Memphis City Council.

"He seems to be the top dog down at the K9 unit, all the other dogs are jealous of him," says Godwin. "Unfortunately the dog got injured, but very fortunate for us, the dog is back on the street."

The suspect, Kenneth Hayes was charged with criminal attempt of trying to kill an animal. He remains behind bars and is due in court later this month.