K9 Bosco is on the mend
Bosco seemed to be happy for the time he got to spend outside his hospital room Thursday afternoon, especially when his partner, Zanesville Police Officer Mike Schiele, showed up for a visit.
Both Schiele and Bosco, Schiele’s K-9 partner, were shot Sunday night when Schiele attempted to serve a warrant on Dominick Conley for assault and criminal damaging. Conley was arrested in Canton the next day and has been charged with 11 felony counts. His case is waiting to be presented to a Muskingum County grand jury, possibly next week.
Schiele was shot once in the left rear side and is recuperating at home.
However, the prognosis for Bosco, who was shot twice, still is uncertain, said his doctor, Amy Butler at Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital. Bosco took one shot to the neck, which hit the top of his spinal column and shattered, and one to the chest.
“A spinal cord injury is extremely, extremely unpredictable,” Butler said. “The best we can do is continue to monitor him, give him rehabilitation, and the next three to six weeks are going to show us how much improvement he will make.”
Butler said the bullets will remain in Bosco because removing them would be too risky.
“Right now they’re not causing any further problems,” Butler said. “Taking the bullets out could cause more issues, and we don’t want those.”
Bosco remains in guarded condition and is unable to move his front legs. He does, however, seem to have some movement in his back legs, Butler said.
“Monday, Bosco was paralyzed in all four legs,” she said as she watched Bosco receive rehabilitation exercises and a massage in the yard of the hospital. “Now, with the help of a sling and some equipment, he’s supporting a little of his own weight and able to move more.”
The way Bosco was cared for is one of the reasons he is progressing.
“He’s in great condition and is a very sweet dog. He’s pretty much taken over all our hearts,” Butler said. “Some police dogs come in, and we’re careful with them, but Bosco has just been wonderful. He’s very special, that’s for sure.”
Butler said the bullets would have killed most dogs, but because Bosco was so well conditioned and muscular, he just might recover from his wounds.
“Had he been any smaller, the bullet that hit his spine would have killed him,” Butler said.
Seeming to be completely aware of all around him, Bosco doesn’t mind being spoon fed special food or all the pats, rubs and kisses from his medical staff and Schiele.
Bosco’s hospital crib is surrounded by stuffed animals and cards from well-wishers, Butler said. When Schiele arrived Thursday, he, too, had a gift for Bosco — a stuffed animal as well as his badge.
Schiele spent the rest of his visit with Bosco outside stroking him and softly speaking to him. Bosco watched Schiele’s every move.
Butler said she is hoping when the swelling goes down in Bosco’s neck, he might get more feeling in his legs.
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Butler said.
Schiele didn’t want to talk about the shooting. He said his attention is centered on Bosco’s recovery and that he appreciates all the support from the community.
The Fraternal Order of Police and the North Terrace Church are planning a fundraising dinner at the church for the department’s K-9 fund.
The fund, including Bosco’s care, is supported completely by donations. Lt. Bill Shaw said the department has been flooded with calls about where or how to donate money.
“People all over the community have told us they have a feeling that Bosco is their dog, too, and want to help,” Shaw said. “We feel there is not a better way for people to bond and have a sense of community than having everyone join and share a meal together,” he said about the upcoming fundraiser.
A date in September is being discussed, and the Times Recorder will have more information when it becomes available. A silent auction also is being planned for the evening, and anyone with items to donate can call Shaw at 455-0700, Ext. 350.
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