HPD K-9 put down after severe injury in the line of duty

HOUSTON – A Houston Police Department K-9 had to be euthanized Wednesday after an injury in the line of duty.

Police said the K-9 officer, Rony, was chasing a suspect in a wooded area when he severely injured his leg.

According to police, officers tried to pull over the driver of a stolen vehicle in northeast Houston around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday. After a chase, the driver, later identified as 37-year-old Randy Wilkerson, got out of the car and ran into the woods, police said. Rony tracked and caught the driver, but his leg was broken when it caught on something, police said.

The K-9 was taken to Animal Emergency Hospital around 2:30 a.m., where he was euthanized as a result of his injuries.

His doctor said Rony had multiple breaks in his foreleg and for a 9-year-old dog, the would have been too difficult.

"Even though it was the most horrendous of options, it was the most fair for the dog," the veterinarian said. 

A mugshot of Wilkerson is below.

Rony served on the force for seven years and had about 250 captures.

Wilkerson faces pending charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, Houston police said.