K-9 Ace returned to the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, less than a week after being shot and losing a leg while protecting three deputies. The 7-year-old German Shepherd had been recovering since the incident, which occurred as deputies attempted to arrest Angel Bowers, 27, who failed to appear in court.
Authorities reported that Bowers allegedly fired at least four rounds at the deputies. During the confrontation, Ace was shot in his left front leg, sustaining a shattered bone and a torn artery that led to significant blood loss. Ace’s partner and handler, Deputy Natalie Oestreich, provided immediate care and carried the injured dog to safety. Ace was then transported to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic and later airlifted to the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch, where veterinarians performed surgery to amputate his leg.
On Sunday, the sheriff's office shared a video showing deputies greeting an energetic Ace as he prepared to leave the veterinary center. According to the sheriff's office, Ace attempted to walk shortly after waking from anesthesia and was eager to return home. The video depicted Ace interacting with deputies before walking out of the medical center to applause, wearing a shirt that read "ride or die."
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed pride in Ace and Deputy Oestreich, stating they