Griff, a Hilliard police dog, was off duty with his family when he choked on a ball and could no longer breathe on his own, the Hilliard Division of Police said. His family took him to MedVet Hilliard. He arrived unable to stand or breathe independently, according to the department.
The department said MedVet’s emergency team removed the ball from Griff’s airway and began supportive care, including oxygen, cooling support and intravenous fluids. Griff’s handler and fellow officers stayed with him overnight as the team monitored him. His oxygen levels and bloodwork improved, and doctors found no signs of lung complications, the department said. He was cleared to return to work later that week and was back on duty within a few days.
A working dog and pet safety
Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences lists balls among common pet choking hazards in its guidance on pet choking.
Griff’s emergency also came outside his regular work. In a 2022 profile, the City of Hilliard described him as trained in criminal apprehension, tracking, article searches and narcotics detection. The city says its K-9 unit is used about 200 times per year on average, mostly for narcotics detection, and works with Hilliard City Schools to help keep school buildings drug-free.
The city said in October 2024 that Hilliard police patrol cars had been equipped with LifeVac choking-rescue devices. MedVet says animals can be brought directly to its Hilliard hospital for emergency care without an appointment.
