Crime & Safety
[PHOTOS] Sheriff's K9 Sports Her Cast After Shooting, Recovery 'Promising'
Sheriff's officials thank everyone who has sent their regards to Tessa.
A Riverside County sheriff's K9 who was accidentally shot while on duty this weekend is home recovering, but the agency is hopeful she'll eventually be able to return to work.
Tessa, a Belgian Malinois who is about six-years-old, is based out of the Lake Elsinore sheriff's station along with her handler Deputy Kari Cranfill. She's been with the station since November 2010.
[RELATED: Lake Elsinore K-9 Unit Takes Bite Out Of Crime]
On Friday, Tessa was hit by friendly fire when a dog described as a "large pit bull" jumped out of an open window and attacked her while she was searching for a suspect in the Lakeland Village area, according to sheriff's Spokesman Deputy Albert Martinez.
To stop the attack, a deputy shot at the pit bull, but one of the rounds also struck Tessa in the right paw, Martinez said. She was taken to a local veterinarian for surgery.
"Tessa’s recovery is promising and, with luck and healing, she should be able to return to work," Martinez said in a social media post. "Tessa spent Saturday night at the veterinarian’s office, but is now home with Deputy Cranfill, no doubt being spoiled!"
[RELATED: RivCo Sheriff's K9 Shot While Helping Search For Suspect]
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