The Grand Rapids Police K9 unit is a vital part of the city's law enforcement team, dedicated to keeping the community safe. With a long history of service, the K9 unit has been a trusted asset for the police department for decades.
The K9 unit consists of highly trained police dogs and their handlers, who work together to respond to emergency situations. These dogs are capable of detecting narcotics, tracking suspects, and locating missing people.
Each K9 dog is trained to perform a specific set of tasks, and their handlers undergo rigorous training to ensure they can work effectively together. The K9 unit has a strong focus on community policing, building relationships with local residents and businesses to prevent crime.
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Police Dog's Condition
Dozer, the Grand Rapids police dog, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on August 4.
The crash occurred when a speeding SUV hit Dozer's police cruiser, causing him to be pushed out of the vehicle and suffer serious injuries to his rear legs and spinal column.
Dozer was initially paralyzed in his hind legs but has since started physical therapy and is making great progress in his recovery.
He was able to get out of his handler's police cruiser and walk around the area, showing signs of improvement.
Dozer's treatment includes time on the water, time on a treadmill, and laser therapy to help him regain agility and stamina.
Whether or not Dozer returns to active duty is still up in the air, but he's currently still part of the K9 team at GRPD.
The Grand Rapids Police Department has been keeping the public updated on Dozer's progress, sharing photos and videos of his recovery on social media.
Officer Teddy VanVliet, Dozer's handler, has been sharing updates on the dog's progress, saying he's "spirited" and has healed better than expected.
The department is still unsure if Dozer will return to work or retire, but either way, he'll live with Officer VanVliet.
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Sources
- https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/grpd-k-9-dozer-recovering-well/69-fe83b044-9444-4bc2-a666-74fcad37bb00
- https://www.wcsg.org/news/local/8-4-23-grand-rapids-officer-and-k-9-unit-injured-in-crash/
- https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2023/10/grand-rapids-police-dog-hurt-in-crash-is-back-on-his-own-four-feet.html
- https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/watch-handler-of-injured-grpd-k-9-shares-update-on-dogs-progress
- https://rivergrandrapids.com/grand-rapids-police-k9/
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