Madison County Sheriff's Office dog hospitalized after chasing suspect Thursday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Madison County Sheriff's Office is asking for the community's support after a force K9 was hospitalized Thursday night.

According to Madison County Sheriff David Harper, K9 Archer is suffering from heat-related illness. The MCSO's top official asked the community for prayer in a video posted to Facebook shortly before 7 p.m. on July 4.

Harper said K9 Archer played a significant role in the capture of a suspect earlier in the day.

“A short time ago, K9 Archer was instrumental in the arrest of a criminal,” the sheriff said in a Facebook video.

Multiple officers were dispatched to pursue a man who allegedly fled authorities into the woods during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon, according to a post on the MCSO Facebook page. The incident happened near Interstate 10, State Road 14 and Sampala Lake Road, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office deployed a drone and a K9 unit to capture the suspect, according to Harper's Facebook post.

MCSO Undersheriff Chris Andrews said K9 Archer became overheated while tracking the suspect. He was stabilized at the Madison Veterinary Clinic before being rushed by ambulance and deputy escort to Allied Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Tallahassee, according to Harper.

Several Madison County Sheriff's deputies are currently in the hospital while the K9 deputy is receiving emergency treatment.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.

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