MINNESOTA -- A Roseville police officer is headed back to his K-9 unit, a year-and-a-half after his dog was stabbed and paralyzed in the line of duty.
Officer John Jorgensen and his new dog "Otis" graduated this week from the K-9 training course run by the St. Paul Police Department.
In November of 2010, Jorgensen's German shepherd "Major" was stabbed four times by a burglary suspect he had pursued. Major lost the use of his hind legs and now uses a set of wheels to get around.
Jorgensen says he had always hoped to work with another dog, while acknowledging it's "kind of bittersweet because of the way it ended with Major."
When therapy failed to bring back Major's movement and his status changed to retired, Jorgensen purchased his former partner from the city of Roseville for a dollar.
Jorgensen's wife Heather says putting Major down was never considered. "Oh, no. wasn't an option even. He's part of our family."
Jorgensen and Major testified in favor of legislation elevating to felony level an act that intentionally harms a police dog. The bill was signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton last year.
"My son thinks every police officer has two police dogs at home. He's spoiled," laughed John Jorgensen. "We're fortunate that Major survived and I think my family is happy I get to work with another police dog too."
(KARE - May 27, 2012)
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