The Hallsville Police Department’s injured canine officer, Dingo, had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ACL in his back right leg at the Marshall Animal Hospital.

According to Officer Derek Phillips, Dingo’s human counterpart in the K-9 unit, the surgery went well.

“The doctors said he went through the surgery great and everything was perfect,” he said. “We got him to stand up. He was basically holding his back right leg up, which is what he was doing before, but it’s fixed. They said once he starts feeling comfortable he’ll start putting his leg down, and start walking on it.

“He was not in happy spirits, but he was awake and he was licking on me.”

According to Phillips, Dingo will need a few months of recovery time before he can return to work.

“It won’t ever be 100 percent back to normal, but he’ll be able to run, jump and play and go back to work within six months,” he said. “Basically the first two months he’ll have to be kenneled. No running or anything. After that we’re going to try to play it by ear and definitely not overstrain anything.”

Those interested in donating can contact Amber Landrum with the City of Hallsville at (903) 668-2313.

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