VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Endo, a 4-year-old German shepherd and Volusia County K-9, is still out there going after bad guys.
He is a Medal of Valor and Purple Heart recipient after being shot in November, but remains on the job, doing so well that even a suspect arrested Thursday seemed impressed.
Endo responded with his handler to a buy-bust narcotics operation Thursday after the suspect ran Daytona Beach police tried to arrest him.
Tethered to Volusia County Sheriff’s Deputy Brett Whitson by a 30-foot leash, Endo tracked the suspect through the brush and under two fences before finding him under a porch at a residence in the 600 block of Magnolia Avenue.
<em>That's a good dog, but f--- him.</em> -- Suspect in drug bust.
Endo grabbed the suspect by the thigh and dragged him from under the porch, police documents said.
The man, later identified as Sherman L. Atkins, 21, of Daytona Beach, then attacked Endo, holding the K-9’s head and neck to the ground with his forearm, Whitson reported.
After repeatedly ordering Atkins to release Endo, the suspect finally yielded and put up his hands, a charging affidavit said.
Atkins was taken into custody and Daytona Beach Fire and Rescue responded to treat several puncture wounds on his leg.
While being treated, Atkins told Fire and Rescue personnel that he was impressed by Endo.
“That’s a good dog, but f--- him,” Whitman quoted Atkins as saying.
%
%
Atkins was taken to Halifax Hospital for additional treatment and was then booked into the Volusia County Jail.
He was charged with battery of a police dog, resisting an officer without violence, sale of cocaine and numerous outstanding warrants.
He was being held in lieu of bonds totaling $78,000.
No injuries to Endo were reported in the affidavit.
Cox Media Group
