Overview
- Ace was shot during an attempted arrest of Angel Bowers and deputies returned fire; Bowers was found dead after the exchange and Ace sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
- Deputy Natalie Oestreich gave immediate field care before Ace was taken to an emergency clinic and then flown by Tampa General Aeromed for higher-level veterinary treatment.
- At the Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch Ace was treated for hemorrhagic shock with packed red blood cells and plasma donated by three civilian dogs and later had a left forelimb amputation.
- Ace was discharged from intensive care on Aug. 9 and has retired to live with his handler while receiving medals, public honors and financial support from Polk Sheriff’s Charities and the Wiltse Family Trust.
- Officials continue a 10th Judicial Circuit officer-involved-deadly-incident task force review of the shooting and the case has highlighted expanding emergency animal transport, canine blood-donor programs and the role of philanthropy in K9 care.