K-9 Mikey gets some good news after being shot in the paw Tuesday

Mikey, the Fresno County Sheriff’s K-9 shot in the paw by friendly fire on Tuesday, is on the road to recovery, sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said Wednesday.

After the shooting, Mikey had been awaiting a decision from a vet on whether his leg would have to be amputated. But a health specialist from UC Davis traveled to Fresno and found there was adequate circulation in Mikey’s leg, so no amputation surgery would be needed, Botti said.

The six-year-old Dutch Shepherd was hurt while working on a SWAT operation Tuesday. Deputies fired at two pit bulls that attacked him at a central Fresno apartment complex, killing one and scaring the other into running away, said Botti.

Mikey was accidentally shot in his right front paw during the scuffle, causing serious injury. Mikey’s handler carried him out to his patrol car and drove him to the pet hospital.

Now Mikey faces four to six months of recovery time, said Botti. He will be monitored on a daily basis for any infection, which is the biggest concern.

Mikey has worked for the sheriff’s office for three years, Botti said, and the sheriff’s office is hopeful that he may be able to return work one day.

This story was originally published July 19, 2017 at 4:10 PM with the headline "K-9 Mikey gets some good news after being shot in the paw Tuesday."