Lake County's heralded police dog Dax suffered an injury on Sunday while aiding in the capture of a teenage suspect, which has raised questions over his future with the Sheriff's Office. The canine, lauded for his skill in tracking missing individuals and wanted fugitives, was on the chase when he was hurt as law enforcement zeroed in on a suspect fleeing a crime scene.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the incident began late Sunday night when Pleasant Prairie Police gave chase to a vehicle identified as stolen. The driver, a 16-year-old from Zion, not only struck a police car but also crashed and ran into a wooded area off the 41000 block of North Green Bay Road. Deputy John Forlenza and his K9 partner Dax were summoned to aid in the apprehension of the teen, who was eventually taken into custody after Dax bit him in the torso area.
The commitment and effectiveness of Dax were underscored in the wake of the chase. "You have an individual that is in a stolen vehicle, an individual that rammed a police car, and an individual that fled on foot," Deputy Sheriff Christopher Covelli described the gravity of the events in an interview with CBS.
The partnership between Forlenza and Dax has been a cornerstone of their police work. Forlenza conveyed this sentiment in the past, stating, "My philosophy with Dax is we always work as a team," he spoke to CBS last year. "I do not have him track 30 feet away from me. We are side by side. I'm there to protect him, just like he's there to protect me." Now, as the duo faces a crucial juncture with Dax's injury, the Lake County Sheriff's Office finds itself eagerly awaiting assessments on the K9's condition.
Dax, now ten years old, was unable to bear weight on his hind legs following the altercation. Covelli revealed the dog's uncertain future, explaining, "At this point, we're not 100% certain on his prognosis," as reported by CBS. The police dog is now under the vigilant care of veterinarians and his handler while they determine the extent of his injury and his capacity to return to duty. Meanwhile, the suspect involved in the pursuit, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his minor status, is facing pending charges in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
