Police K-9 Undergoes Surgery After Eating Rocks
Grand Rapids police dog Rocco is recovering after ingesting rocks from his handler's crock pot juice, necessitating surgery.
A police K-9 named Rocco in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is recovering after undergoing surgery to remove garden rocks he consumed along with his dinner. The incident occurred when Rocco’s handler, Austin Diekevers, poured crock pot juice over his deck, which contained scraps from a beef sandwich.
Diekevers, a handler with the Grand Rapids Police Department, told News Channel 3 that some of the crock pot juice landed on landscaping rocks. While he briefly stepped away, Rocco devoured the scraps and the rocks coated in the drippings. Diekevers initially noticed Rocco trying to chew the rocks and contacted a veterinarian. At first, the vet was not overly concerned as Rocco was still eating and drinking, and having regular bowel movements.
However, Diekevers became worried when Rocco’s appetite decreased the following day. Upon feeling Rocco’s stomach, he could hear the rocks inside, realizing the extent of the ingestion. An X-ray at a local animal hospital confirmed that Rocco’s stomach was filled with stones, requiring surgical intervention.
This is not the first serious incident for Rocco this year. In April, he sustained a near-fatal injury when he impaled himself on a fire pit. He reportedly survived that ordeal thanks to the same animal hospital staff.
Rocco is now recuperating from the surgery and is expected to return to duty in about a week. His handler described him as being back to his usual energetic self, though he is still on restricted activity due to his incision.
