What to Know
- The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the K-9 deputy had been feeding the dog, Recon, for about a week while his normal handler was not home
Authorities say a Florida deputy shot and killed a K-9 that attacked him while he was feeding the dog.
The Lakeland Ledger reports that the attack and shooting occurred Monday night.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the K-9 deputy - identified by WFLA-TV as Deputy Scott Cronin, had been feeding the dog, Recon, for about a week while the dog's normal handler was out of town. Cronin says Recon clamped down on his hand, and the dog wouldn't release him, forcing him to shoot the dog.
Officials say Cronin suffered a serious injury and underwent surgery on his hand.
Recon had been with the department for three years, and officials say they're not sure what prompted the attack. They say it's common for K-9 deputies to take care of each other's dogs when they are away from home.
