COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Richland County K-9 has died days after an incident that occurred while in pursuit of a suspect.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department confirmed the death of K-9 officer Kodak following a chase that occurred on Oct. 5. Authorities said that on that day, around 3 a.m., deputies requested assistance from K-9s to catch a person who ran from a stolen vehicle. The sheriff's department said deputies set up a perimeter around Leesburg Road in Lower Richland.
Authorities said K-9 Kodak, K-9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez and K-9 Specialist O'Shaughnessy were tracking the suspect through a heavily wooded area when Kodak got tangled in razor wire fencing hidden by brush. As a result, Kodak received cuts to his abdomen and leg. Ramirez and O'Shaughnessy also received cuts as they tried to untangle Kodak.
Kodak was taken to South Carolina Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Care for treatment and remained there since the day of the incident but died on Thursday, authorities said.
The six-year-old Dutch Shepherd had been with K-9 Specialist Ramirez for four years. Authorities said this is the second line-of-duty death of a Richland County Sheriff's Department K-9 in 2024. Details regarding Kodak's funeral will be available at a later date.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified or caught the suspect in the pursuit.
