Police dog loses all its front teeth bringing down suspect

A police dog lost all its front teeth after taking down a carjacker who led officers on a wild chase.

Puskas – the Santa Ana police K-9 – had all but a few teeth knocked out when his face smashed into a concrete curb during a scuffle with the suspect on Monday night.

After surgery on his face and gums, the dog was seen walking out of hospital with a purple heart for bravery and is expected to make a good enough recovery to return to the force. 

A police dog lost all its front teeth after taking down a carjacker who led officers on a wild chase (pictured)

CBS2 News spoke to the dog’s handler Luis Galeana, who said he was initially thrilled to see his dog had tackled the perpetrator. 

But then his happiness turned to agony when he realized the extent of Puskas’ injuries.   

Galeana said: ‘He comes home with me. He’s part of my family. 

‘I spend more time with him than I do with my own family.’

Puskas tackled Antonio Padilla Jr to the ground to bring an end a chase which involved a woman being carjacked. 

The suspect is alleged to have pulled a woman from an SUV after police spotted his truck during a traffic stop.  

Several vehicles were damaged in the ensuing pursuit which ended in him crashing into one final car before getting out and trying to run, only to be apprehended by Puskas.  

The force think their invaluable K-9 will be back on the job in as little as a month, once he has fully recovered.