Richland County deputies were trying to locate a suspect who fled on foot from a reported stolen car. They called in K-9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez and her partner K-9 Kodak.
Kodak began tracking the suspect through a heavily wooded area. The dog was grievously injured when he became entangled in a razor wire fence that was concealed by brush, the sheriff’s department reports .
K-9 Kodak suffered severe lacerations to his abdomen and one of his legs. K-9 specialist Ramirez was also cut as she tried to free her partner from the wire.
The K-9 was rushed to a local vet and underwent immediate surgery. He died five days later.
K-9 Kodak was a 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd and he and K-9 Specialist Ramirez had been partners for 4 years.