Bruno the police K-9 dies of complications stemming from 2014 shooting

An Anaheim police K-9, shot by a suspect two years ago, died Wednesday morning due to complications stemming from the incident.

Bruno was taken to a hospital Saturday night, where he underwent emergency surgery related to complications from the shooting, said Daron Wyatt, Anaheim police spokesman.

The dog’s organs began shutting down early Wednesday and a decision was made to end his suffering, Wyatt said. Shortly before 6 a.m., Bruno was put down.

“All of the K-9 handlers were there with him,� Wyatt said. “There was a good group of people around him.�

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Bruno was shot in the face March 20, 2014, while searching for a suspected parole violator with his handler, Officer R.J. Young. He had approached a trash can where the suspect was hiding, and the suspect then stuck a gun through the lid and began firing, striking Bruno, according to Wyatt.

A bullet slammed into Bruno’s jaw, shattering it, and another entered his chest cavity, damaging his internal organs, Wyatt said. The suspect was later shot and killed by police.

Bruno “is credited with saving the lives of a couple of officers on that shooting incident, where he took the bullets,� Wyatt said. “It’s a tragedy that it had to happen.�

Bruno’s story drew national attention, as the injured police canine was slowly nursed back to health. Then Mayor Pro Tem Kris Murray called the dog “a hometown hero� in 2014.

The canine had been living with the Young family. R.J. Young’s wife, Rachel Young, wrote a children’s book about Bruno and his interaction, after his retirement, with the couple’s daughter Grace.

The book was dedicated to all law enforcement officer families, “especially those with K-9s.�

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The Friends of the Anaheim Police Canine Assn. posted a message on Facebook for Bruno, touting the bond between R.J. Young and Bruno and offering prayers to the Young family.

“Bruno was a warrior to the end and we will never forget OUR HERO,� the post read. “Rest well 26K2; we know you will be vigilantly watching over RJ and the rest of us from Heaven.�

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