Paulding County Sheriff’s K-9 Accidentally Killed

A Paulding County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) canine was accidentally killed July 19 following an incident at 14 Trotters Way in Dallas. The incident began at 12:03 p.m. when officers responded to a domestic dispute call at the Saddlebrook Farms Subdivision, PCSO said in a news release.

A male suspect was observed jumping over fences and running through yards in an attempt to get away around the time Corporal Brandon Kilgore arrived on scene along with K-9 Verro, PCSO said. Kilgore left his patrol vehicle to chase the suspect while K-9 Verro remained behind.

K-9 Verro was able to squeeze through the partially open kennel door that separates the police vehicle kennel from the drivers compartment. He was able to crawl into the front of the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and run toward what he believed was the suspect, PCSO said.

"Shortly after K-9 Verro exited his vehicle, he observed a deputy sprinting away from him. In the absence of his handlers direction, K-9 Verro could not differentiate between deputy and suspect," PCSO said. "K-9 Verro apprehended the deputy by grabbing the back of his leg and followed his training by biting and holding until he was commanded to release. The deputy, who had been bitten from behind while running, had no idea the dog was actually a law enforcement canine."

Because the deputy was unable to remove the dog from his leg, he drew his service weapon and shot K-9 Verro, PCSO said. K-9 Verro died at the scene. A short time later, the male suspect was taken into custody by other deputies in the area. The deputy who was bitten has some injuries as a result of the apprehension, PCSO said.

“Being a former K-9 handler, I know how special the bond is between a handler and his dog. The emotional grief everyone is going through, including the Deputy who was bitten, has been overwhelming," Sheriff Gary Gulledge said in the release. "Please keep Corporal Kilgore, his family, the K-9 Unit, our injured deputy, and the Sheriff’s Office in your prayers as we all go through this difficult time.”

K-9 Verro and Kilgore had been partners for over seven years while working together in Paulding County. Verro was an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois.