Police dog critically injured in Reading released from state-of-the-art trauma facility at UPenn

READING, Pa. (WPVI) -- A police dog critically injured in Reading, Pa. has been released from the PennVet emergency facility at the University of Pennsylvania, and is on his way home Monday morning.

Officials say K-9 Cody is the first patient to benefit from a ground-breaking Level One Trauma emergency treatment program at PennVet.

The incident happened around 8:15 p.m. Friday at the Southwest Middle School on the 300 block of Chestnut Street.

Officers responded to the area after a report that the school was possibly unsecured.

One of the Reading Police K-9s, named Cody, was also called to assist.

When officers arrived, they found a side door that was unlocked.

The officers then entered along with Cody to make sure there was no one inside.

During the search the K-9 fell about 15-20 feet from the catwalk.

Cody was taken to Berks Animal Emergency Services in Shillington, Pennsylvania.

Veterinarians and Cody's handler, Ofc. John Hutchinson, grew concerned when Cody became lethargic. Fearing he had internal bleeding, they contacted University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia.

A helicopter then transported Cody to Penn where he is listed in critical but stable condition.

Dr. Cindy Otto says, "He got here, he got here quickly."

Dr. Otto heads the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, and with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and University of Pennsylvania police she helped to create a program that transports injured police and search & rescue dogs to Penn Vet's Level One Trauma Center.

The idea came after New Castle County's police dog Diablo was shot in 2009 in Delaware.

Friday night is the first time they've put this plan into action.

After landing on the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's helipad, UPenn police provided a transport van and stretcher to get Cody to the emergency room.

Cody is not out if the woods yet, but the minutes saved in transport could save his life.

Penn's Dr. Adam Schlax says, "He did fall off a ledge and maybe had some traumatic injuries on the way down."

However, doctors are cautiously optimistic.

"We are cautiously optimistic. His handler is up there. He definitely perked up for us. He's on the right track," Dr. Schlax said.

The 3-year-old Belgian Malinios completed his training in July of 2014.

Police say after searching the school, the building was found empty.