Polk County K9 Ace Returns on Three Legs After Being Shot During Arrest Attempt

During an August 6, 2026 operation to arrest Angel Bowers in Polk County, Florida, the suspect fired at approaching deputies, hitting the department’s K9, Ace, in the left side of his chest. The bullet exited through his left shoulder, severely injuring his front leg and an artery. Deputy Natalie Oestreich rescued Ace and rushed him to Parkway Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Lakeland, where emergency care stopped the bleeding and surgeons performed an amputation of the damaged leg.

Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted Ace’s role in shielding officers and the public, noting the dog had been with the sheriff’s office since March 2020. After about two hours, a SWAT team secured the location and discovered that Bowers had already died from a gunshot wound. The three-legged Ace was later seen leaving the clinic on video posted to X.