K-9 officer stuck with over 200 porcupine quills while pursuing suspect

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (FOX 46 CHARLOTTE) - K9 Odin is recovering in an animal hospital after being struck with more than 200 quills from a porcupine while tracking a wanted man Saturday near Coos Bay, Oregon, deputies said.

The suspect, identified as Devin J. Wilson, 29, of Coos Bay, remains at large. On Saturday, April 20 around 6:04 p.m. a Coos County Sheriff's deputy spotted a known wanted man, identified as Wilson, along Evergreen Lane.

Wilson reportedly ran away from the deputy. K9 Odin was then called in to help track Wilson. During the track, Odin encountered a porcupine along the path and was struck with more than 200 quills, the sheriff's office said. Several of the quills went inside Odin's mouth and two near his left eye.

The track was suspended immediately and Odin was rushed to the vet at Hansen-Meekins Animal Hospital where he was sedated and treated for more than two hours on the night before Easter.

The Coos County Sheriff's Office is now asking for the public's help in locating Wilson as he has committed new crimes and still has outstanding warrants. Anyone with information is asked to call 541-396-7800.

This story was reported from Charlotte, N.C.