A bull on the highway proved disastrous for a DeKalb County, Ala., deputy late Thursday night, Sheriff Jimmy Harris says.
Deputy Hunter Akins and his K-9, Marianna, were both taken for checkups after Akins' vehicle struck a bull on Alabama Highway 75 in Fyffe while he was responding to a call around midnight, Harris said in a news release.
The smash-up briefly trapped Akins and the dog in his vehicle, but he managed to break out the driver-side window and get free, Harris said.
Akins was taken by ambulance to DeKalb Regional Hospital, where he was treated and released. Marianna was being checked out by a veterinarian but is expected to be fine.
The bull did not survive the crash.
According to Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson, "Deputy Akins is very blessed not to be injured worse than what he was."
"Their job is a very dangerous job and as many miles as our deputies travel we have been fortunate that they have not been in any life threatening accidents," he added, thanking Fyffe police and fire, Rainsville police, Shiloh fire, deputies and the DeKalb Ambulance Service "for their prompt arrival and attention that they gave to Deputy Akins."