Grand Rapids Police Department K9 Eli still faces a road to recovery, but it’s a journey he’ll be able to take from home.
Eli was released from the Animal Emergency Hospital on Wednesday evening, after being treated for multiple stab wounds and a punctured lung. Eli received the injuries in the line of duty during an incident on November 13. He has bandages and stitches but was able to leave under his own power. During his release, several members of the department and other K9 unit personnel gathered in the parking lot to cheer him on. He has bandages and stitches but was able to leave under his own power.
The K9 will recover at the home of his human partner, Officer Justin Kribs and family. GRPD said it’s too soon to know if Eli will be physically and mentally able to return to service. If he is not, he will retire, and ownership will transfer from the City of Grand Rapids to Officer Kribs, Eli living with his family as a pet.
“On behalf of Officer Kribs, the K9 Unit, and all the men and women of the Grand Rapids Police Department, I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support, prayers, and well wishes. We received hundreds of messages from the community, other law enforcement agencies, and K9 support organizations across the country,” said Chief Eric Winstrom. “We are extremely grateful to the veterinarians and staff of the Animal Emergency Hospital for their expertise and care. With the severity of his injuries and the significant blood loss he experienced, it is truly a miracle they were able to save Eli.”
GRPD announced the charges filed against the suspect in the stand-off that led to K9 Eli’s injuries, which included Causing Serious Injury to Police Animal, among several other felony charges.
