K-9 undaunted by yellow jackets, helps nab suspect
WEIRSDALE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Florida authorities say a K-9 deputy stung nearly two dozen times by angry yellow jackets, never faltered or tried to run, but calmly helped a deputy apprehend a domestic violence suspect holding a box-cutter to this throat.
In body camera video, you see Deputy Jeremie Nix trying to talk to a man who was hiding behind a tree. Investigators say the man was holding the box-cutter and was suicidal.
As Deputy Nix and K-9 Drago walk toward Shea, they step on a yellow jackets nest. The only sign of discomfort you see in the video is Drago shaking his head, but the dog did not run away and remained calm.
"He's just getting stung after stung," Deputy Nix explains.
As the deputy pleaded with the suspect to surrender, all three were stung repeatedly. We caught up with Deputy Nix and Drago Thursday. They were back at work and feeling fine after being stung 20 times each.
Deputy Nix says, "These police dogs are very attuned to what's going on around them, so they react based on the way we react. They sense when there's a threat. When things are high intensity, they get very focused. "
Deputy Nix got the man to surrender after an hour of talking and being stung. As for their painful time in the woods, he says it was just another day on the job.
The suspect was taken to jail and is facing domestic battery charges. A veterinarian checked out Drago and said he would be just fine.
Information from: Ocala Star-Banner.