A Marion County Sheriff’s Office K-9 is in critical but stable condition after being shot by a battery suspect in Silver Springs over the weekend.
“Hello Marion County citizens,” stated Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods in a social media post on Monday afternoon. “I wanted to give you an update on my K-9 deputy, Leo.”
According to Sheriff Woods, Leo is currently receiving the highest level of treatment at UF Veterinary Hospital in Gainesville. “They have done an absolutely amazing job. In fact, their staff treated Leo as he was transported from Ocala to Gainesville.”
Leo is recovering in the hospital due to injuries that were sustained in a shooting incident that occurred on Saturday, February 17.
At around 9 a.m., MCSO deputies responded to the 900 block of NE 144th Court in Silver Springs in reference to a situation involving a suspect accused of battery by strangulation. Upon arrival at the incident location, deputies located the suspect in the backyard of a nearby home.
Sheriff Woods stated that Leo was “trained to fight crime, to help those in need, and to protect his handler…..at all cost. (On) Saturday, Leo did just that.”
Leo “fearlessly charged” toward the suspect who was threatening the deputies with a gun. During the confrontation, the suspect shot Leo before deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.
“Leo gave his best in that moment to protect those deputies,” said Sheriff Woods.
The sheriff thanked Marion County Fire Rescue for transporting Leo, as well as the Ocala Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, and Gainesville Police Department for helping to clear traffic as Leo was rushed to Gainesville on Saturday.
“Leo still needs a lot of prayer,” added Sheriff Woods. “And I would ask you to keep his handler in your thoughts and prayers as well. Leo is a faithful servant of Marion County.”