A police dog in Mississippi is being credited with saving the life of his partner while the sheriff's deputy was being attacked by three assailants.
Hancock County Sheriff's Deputy Todd Frazier was on patrol in Pearlington on Monday when he noticed a car sitting at a rest stop with its lights off, The Clarion Ledger reported.
That's when two other men emerged from the "shadows" and ambushed Frazier.
"Two individuals surprised Deputy Frazier from the shadows and an altercation ensued," Hancock County Sheriff Ricky Adam told ABC News. "One cut him across the forehead with a razor, one choked him, and one grabbed his legs to carry him to the edge of the woods."
While he was being attacked, Frazier was able to free his hand to hit a button to release his dog, Lucas, from his vehicle.
Lucas then attacked the suspects, and authorities believe he bit at least two of them
"We don't know how many he got, we just know he had blood all over him," Adam told the Clarion-Ledger.
He described the attack as a "very near miss" on Frazier's life.
The suspects then fled in their car, and have not yet been caught. They said they think at least one of the men suffered serious dog bites.
Adam told ABC News Frazier's injuries were not life-threatening. The department posted on its Facebook page that Lucas is also recovering.
Adam said Frazier trained his dogs, including Lucas, himself. "Deputy Frazier is a good deputy and takes his job seriously." he told ABC News.
