Police Dog Shot Thursday on the Mend

After being shot in the face, Anaheim police K-9 officer Bruno returned to his handler, whimpered once and wanted to return to the action.

Bruno remains in stable condition Photo by Capt. Mark Cyprien

Even as his handler raced him to the hospital, Bruno’s ears were up and he didn’t want to lie down, police officials said.

“He saved at least one life yesterday,” said Police Capt. Ben Hittesdorf Friday morning during a briefing of the Chief’s Advisory Board.

Just before 2 p.m. Thursday, Orange County probation officers were headed to the 1100 block of North Mayfair Avenue to check on a probationer when they spotted three men on a corner and suspected one of them was the person they were looking for, Anaheim police Sgt. Allan Roman said. When the officers attempted to speak with the trio of men, they ran and gunfire rang out from one of the suspects, Roman added.

The probation officers did not return fire and were unhurt, Roman said.

Anaheim police set up a perimeter and located the suspect a short distance away on Mayfair, where he opened fire on police, Roman said. 

Bruno, was wounded by the suspect, who was fatally shot by police, Roman said. No officers were hurt in the exchange of gunfire, he added.

Bruno was shot in the face and the bullet lodged in his chest. He underwent surgery, during which part of a damaged lung was removed, and was expected to survive, police said.

Police locked down Patrick Henry and Horace Mann elementary schools as they searched for the suspects, Roman said. Another suspect was still at large, Roman added.

Police found a firearm at the scene, Roman said.

--City News Service contributed to this report.