K-9 Saves Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy During Hostile Encounter

VENTURA (CBSLA.com) — A local dog was recently named "K-9 Hero of the Year" for his heroic efforts in saving his partner during a hostile encounter.

The National Police Dog Foundation bestowed the honor upon "Dano", a K-9 credited with rescuing Ventura County Sheriff's Deputy Danielle Delpit last September.

The incident unfolded about 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, when Deputy Delpit responded to a call of a man walking in the middle of the road, waving his arms and shouting.

"She tried to talk to him. You know, she's literally driving alongside as he's walking because he wouldn't stop to talk to her," said Ventura County Sheriff's Sgt. Erik Buschow.

"Finally at some point, he stopped. She gets out. She continues to try to talk and he literally just turned his anger toward her right away and began attacking her. Yelling at her. Saying that he was going to kill her," Buschow said.

At that point, the suspect allegedly struck Delpit in the face, prompting "Dano" to spring into action, grabbing the suspect's arm.

"With the dog literally latched on to his arm gave enough of a distraction that she was able to draw her weapon and fired. And that ended the fight," Buschow said.

While Deputy Delpit is unable to comment on the specifics of the case, which is still under investigation, she did tell CBS2's Amy Johnson that she's grateful "Dano" was with her.

"I always knew if I was faced with a situation like that ... that ["Dano"] would be there and not back down," the deputy said. "It could have unfolded a whole different way if he had left my side that day."