Back in 2014, 7-year-old K-9 officer Bruno, of the Anaheim Police Department, was severely wounded after he was shot in the face while chasing down a suspect for his handler during a gunfight.
He was rushed to the hospital with a shattered jaw and required emergency surgery to remove a bullet from his lung. Vets were unsure if he’d survive, but thankfully the surgery was a success and Bruno managed to pull through. He showed his strength and his will to live.
Friends of the Anaheim Police K9 Association
While recovering in the hospital, Bruno was finally able to reunite with his handler and best friend, Officer R.J. Young. Young feared this moment would never come and was over the moon to see him again.
“It was a horrific thing to have to watch,” Young told ABC News, recalling the moment he saw Bruno get shot in the face. “My entire world came crumbling down in a matter of a second.”
Bruno was profusely bleeding after he was shot but still returned to his handler’s side. A police escort shut down roads to clear the way to get Bruno to the hospital as quickly as possible.
Young went to the hospital to reunite with Bruno, and their heart-warming reunion was caught on video.
As soon as Bruno saw Young, he began whining and wagging his tail. He was thrilled to have his best friend by his side again. Just by watching their reunion, it’s obvious how strong of a bond these two shared.
Bruno had been working as a police dog for six years and has proven that he was a great K-9. Bruno went into retirement following the shooting and was adopted by Officer Young and his family. He got to live out the rest of his life as a normal pet dog and was spoiled with toys and most importantly, love.
Sadly, Bruno passed away two years later due to complications stemming from the shooting. He underwent emergency surgery but his organs began to shut down so they made the difficult decision to put him to sleep.
“All of the K-9 handlers were there with him,” Daron Wyatt, Anaheim police spokesman told the LA Times. “There was a good group of people around him.”
Bruno will always be remembered for his strength and loyalty. He literally took two bullets to save the lives of several officers that day. He is a true hero!
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