Fairfield Police Dog Back Returning to Duty After Back Surgery

By Bay City News Service

A K-9 unit dog is returning to work with the Fairfield Police Department after back surgery and weeks of rehab, police officials said Tuesday afternoon.

Greck, who is assigned to Officer Randy Augusto, underwent spinal cord surgery in early August and spend several weeks in physical therapy. He was cleared to return to the force last week, police said.

During a training session in August, Augusto noticed that Greck's gait was different and he was dragging his rear leg.

A veterinarian discovered a spinal cord injury that was putting pressure on Greck's nerve. The injury may have happened during training or an on-duty apprehension from the week before, police said.

Greck has been with the department since 2006. He has been credited with 40 suspect captures and $6,000 in cash seizures connected to narcotics, according to police.