RCSD K9 deputy Kobe returns to line of duty after weeks of recovery

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Richland County K9 officer Kobe chased down a suspect in March before being shot in both of his front paws.

Now, RCSD’s four legged deputy is back in action after weeks of rehabilitation.

“Unfortunately, too often I stand up here and talk about something bad. Today, it’s about something good,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.

However, it did not look good back in March when Richland County K9 Deputy Kobe was shot during a vehicle pursuit.

“Suspect had a stolen car. We were chasing them. They jumped out with guns. As the dog went to apprehend them, the suspect turned around and began shooting at us,” said RCSD Deputy Bryan Hodge, Kobe’s K9 hander. “Luckily, Kobe was hit in the paws and not anywhere else.”

“We rushed Kobe to CVES Hospital which does a tremendous job. They look after all the K9s that we have. Kobe got the best treatment,” Lott said. “After surgery removed a bullet from one of his paws, he was in casts. Can you imagine a dog as active as Kobe with casts on his legs and a cone around his head? They survived it.”

After weeks of therapy to get Kobe’s strength back, the doctors cleared the K9 to rejoin his handler in the line of duty.

“They’re together all of the time,” the sheriff said. “They are together when they are working but also at home. Kobe becomes a pet at that point. They know how to turn it on at work and they know when to play.”

The four and a half year old K9 serves the sheriff’s department in a variety of ways.

“His biggest thing is tracking,” Hodge said. “That’s what he’s best at and likes to do the most. The second you put the tracking light on him, he already is getting out of the car looking for it. That’s his favorite thing.” 

RCSD thanks everyone for the messages and gifts sent to Kobe during his recovery.