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Florida K-9 Deputy 'Endo' receives honors for valor

Deltona K9 Endo

DELAND, Fla. — A K-9 deputy that was shot when responding a domestic disturbance has received two honors from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Endo, a 4-year-old German shepherd, was awarded on Tuesday the sheriff's office's Purple Heart and Medal of Valor awards. Also honored was Endo's human handler, Deputy Brett Whitson.

It was the first time in recent memory the honors had been given to a dog. Endo was shot in the neck last November when responding with Whitson to a domestic disturbance call.

Endo was used to track a suspect into some woods. Whitson says that even though Endo was hit by a bullet when a suspect started firing, the dog never let on that he was injured.

Endo was later taken to an animal hospital for emergency surgery.