By Joseph Bustos
The State
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A Richland County K-9 died Thursday from injuries sustained while tracking a suspect, the sheriff’s department announced.
K-9 Kodak, a 6-year-old Dutch Shepherd, is the second K-9 line-of-duty death for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department this year. He was injured during a foot pursuit early Saturday morning.
About 3 a.m. Saturday, patrol deputies requested assistance from K-9 deputies to locate a suspect who fled on foot from a stolen vehicle, according to a news release.
While patrols deputies set up a perimeter around Leesburg Road in lower Richland County, K-9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez with her partner of four years, K-9 Kodak, and another K-9 specialist tracked the suspect through a heavily wooded area, the sheriff’s department said.
“As the track continued, K-9 Kodak got entangled in some razor wire fencing that was concealed by brush, and sustained severe lacerations to his abdomen and leg,” the sheriff’s department said.
Both K-9 specialists also suffered lacerations as they worked to untangle Kodak.
Kodak was immediately taken to the South Carolina Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Care, underwent emergency surgery and continued to receive care. Kodak died from his injuries Thursday.
The suspect who the sheriff’s department pursued was not apprehended.
The sheriff’s department said funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
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