FOND DU LAC, Wis.  — A police K9 injured in a 2023 shooting is expected to return to duty along with his partner Deputy Blaine Evans later this year.

K9 Iro with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office was shot multiple times on Oct. 14.

The K9 was being deployed in an attempt to stop a suspect that the Fond du Lac County District Attorney said was armed with an AR style rifle.

According to DA Eric Toney, Deputy Blaine Evans was responding to a sexual assault call when he attempted to pull suspect Kyle Massie over.

Evans attempted a pit maneuver, but according to the DA, Massie pulled into his driveway and crashed through a garage door.

Massie reportedly pulled out the AR style rifle. At that point, K9 Iro was deployed into the garage, where he sustained gunshot wounds from three to five rounds.

Kyle Massie was struck by shots fired by Deputy Evans, but those wounds were non-life threatening.

The DA report said Massie died shortly after from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Monday, DA Eric Toney announced that no charges would be filed against Deputy Evans after determining his use of force was appropriate given the threat.

Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt said Iro likely saved his human partner’s life.

“Iro is deployed into that garage; I am sure he (Massie) did not anticipate a dog or K9 coming into the garage. That distraction gave Blaine time to return fire, time to reposition, time to get to better cover, and undoubtedly saved Blaine’s life and prevented further rounds coming from that rifle coming towards Blaine,” Waldschmidt said in a press conference Monday.

K9 Iro sustained serious injuries in the shooting and was transported to a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic in Grand Chute.

He was released days later following multiple surgeries.

While he continues to have minor scars and needs to attend regular rehabilitation appointments, Sheriff Waldschmidt said he is making a full recovery.

Iro is expected to return to duty with Deputy Evans later this year.