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Police dog in suburban Phoenix killed in foot chase

Posted at 10:42 AM, Nov 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-25 12:42:02-05

EL MIRAGE, Ariz. (AP) - Authorities say a police dog was fatally shot in suburban Phoenix by a man who led officers on a foot chase.

The El Mirage Police Department says its police dog Koki was killed in the shooting Friday evening by 38-year-old Joe Ruelas, who was wanted on suspicion of aggravated assault.

Police say Ruelas ran from the scene holding a handgun as he was being arrested and the dog's handler let the animal loose to pursue Ruelas, who fatally shot Koki.

Police say Ruelas then ran out of sight and was later found dead at a home in an apparent suicide.