UPDATE AUG. 30: The Washington County Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday afternoon that Tess has been treated and is heading back home to Utah with her handler.
The veterinarian reported that the K9 was likely shot twice during the Tuesday incident.
Tess is expected to make a full recovery and could return to duty in six weeks.
K9 Tess has been released from the Vet to go home with her handler. Full recovery predicted in 6 weeks.
— Washington Co SO, UT (@washeriff) August 30, 2017
K9 Tess happy to be headed home. pic.twitter.com/nto98OaRyl
— Washington Co SO, UT (@washeriff) August 30, 2017
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- Traffic was briefly shut down near Durango Drive and Tropicana Avenue on Wednesday morning after a helicopter landed in the parking lot of a nearby emergency veterinary clinic.
Las Vegas police reported the helicopter was carrying a Washington County Sheriff's Office K9 that was shot in St. George late Tuesday night.
The Washington County Attorney's Office says the incident began as a disturbance involving a man throwing objects at a gas station. While police were on their way to deal with the situation, the suspect allegedly used force to steal a truck.
The owner of the truck told police that an AR-15 assault rifle was inside the vehicle.
The gunman was later found in a second stolen truck that was chased by St. George police before crashing into a Santa Clara home.
Officers surrounded the vehicle, and a K9 was deployed. The suspect shot the dog, identified as 7-year-old malinois Tess.
A shootout ensued, and the suspect was struck by gunfire multiple times. He was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.
Las Vegas police reported that the police dog is in stable condition after he was transported to Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center for surgery.
Washington COSO (Utah) #K9 officer shot in the line of duty transported to Vegas for surgery this morning. Now in stable condition. pic.twitter.com/cSOJ6Ojywy
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) August 30, 2017
