Bradley County Sheriff’s Office K-9 is back on the job after being shot in line of duty

Bradley County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Joker returned to duty Wednesday after recovering from being shot multiple times while attempting to apprehend suspects in September.

Joker had an appointment last week at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center of Chattanooga on Lee Highway for a follow-up on how his injuries were healing, and that led to the good news, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Joker, a five-year veteran of the department, is back on track, so to speak.

“The doctor stated in K-9 Joker’s discharge papers that ‘tracking is permitted’ and K-9 Joker was cleared to return to work with minor restrictions due to the wonderful progression he has shown over the last several weeks,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Alana Shell said in the release. “K-9 Joker’s muzzle and feeding tube have since been removed, his jaw is now stabilized and he is currently on a soft diet.”

Joker and his partner and housemate, Deputy Eduardo Choate, are a team once more, Shell said Tuesday. Joker recuperated with the Choate family where he has lived since becoming the deputy’s canine partner.

Choate didn’t respond to a request for an interview but his wife posted a message on social media thanking supporters and vowing to seek changes to state law when it comes to K-9s.

“Thank you so much for all the prayers. The Good Lord blessed our boy, and he is a walking miracle,” the post said. “We will continue to fight every step of the way to change the law so that criminals are punished to the fullest extent if this happens to the next K-9 officer.”

State Rep. Mark Hall, R-Cleveland, has introduced legislation that could be dubbed “Joker’s Law” if it passes the General Assembly. The legislation would make killing or injuring a police K-9 a class B felony, making it punishable by eight to 30 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine. The measure would also include horses used by police, according to Hall.

Joker’s wounds stem from shots fired by suspects who were fleeing officers behind the Toyota of Cleveland dealership at Exit 20 off of Interstate 75 on Sept. 22.

(READ MORE: Proposed ‘Joker’s law’ would stiffen penalties for police K-9 shootings in Tennessee)

Joker’s ordeal started with a call at 1:40 a.m. on Sept. 22 in Cleveland, Tennessee, for police to investigate the burglary of a vehicle at Park Oaks Apartments on Harrison Pike where a white Jeep Gladiator – reported stolen out of Hamilton County – sped north on Georgetown Road toward I-75, according to authorities.

At the next exit, the juveniles in the Jeep ran into the woods behind the dealership as officers pursued.

During the foot chase, Choate sent Joker after the suspects who allegedly shot him in the head and neck area. Deputies heard the gunshots and carried the wounded Joker out of the wooded area and sped him to Chattanooga for emergency surgery. Six juveniles – ages 13-17 – were arrested in connection with the incident.

Joker spent days at the animal hospital in Chattanooga before he got to go home to his partner’s family to heal up.

Department officials thanked the hospital staff who cared for Joker and for “the tremendous support they have shown to our department, K-9 Joker and the Choate family during this time,” Shell said.

In Chattanooga, spokesperson Jamie Bennett of the veterinary center applauded the K-9’s return to work.

“We’re happy to be part of the process of getting Joker back on the beat,” Bennett said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “Every time a patient leaves this hospital and they’re improved like he is, it’s a testament to the doctors and the staff here.”

Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton.