**Headline:** Hero’s Welcome: Dallas Police K-9 Max Recovers After Suffering Heat Exhaustion During East Dallas Manhunt

**DALLAS** – A Dallas Police K-9 officer is recovering after a harrowing heat-related medical emergency during a search in East Dallas this week. K-9 Max, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, collapsed from heat exhaustion while on duty Tuesday afternoon but was met with a hero’s welcome upon his release from an emergency veterinary hospital on Wednesday.

The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday along Highland Road, where Max was assisting officers in a manhunt amid extreme temperatures. During the operation, Max began showing signs of a serious heat-related illness and was immediately rushed for medical care.

He was treated at MedVet Dallas, where critical care specialist Dr. Danielle Williams explained the severe risks heat poses to canines. “The dog’s shock organ is the GI tract,” Dr. Williams noted. “If they’re vomiting or having diarrhea, that’s all concerning for heat exhaustion.”

The Dallas Police Department emphasized that its handlers are well-prepared for such situations. “The handlers are trained to recognize when their dogs are showing signs of exhaustion and to be mindful when it’s extremely hot or cold outside,” said Cordin Rubinson, a Dallas Police spokesperson. “As part of our Basic Handler School, the handlers are taught about canine health and safety concerns, including heat related stress.”

Department protocols to protect its K-9 partners include equipping each canine vehicle with a heat alarm system. Handlers are also required to conduct weekly function checks on this equipment during the summer months, and dogs are not to be left unattended in a vehicle for more than 10 minutes.

For the public, Dr. Williams offered crucial advice for any dog owner facing a similar situation. “We do not recommend doing cold ice water or cold ice water baths,” she advised. “It’s important to get them out of the heat, stop the exercise and get them cooled down immediately.”

After receiving expert care, Max made a full recovery. At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, he was released from MedVet Dallas, where he received a hero’s welcome from his fellow officers and hospital staff, marking a happy conclusion to a dangerous situation.