A Belgian Malinois that was shot after biting a Rowan County Sheriff’s Deputy responding to a call on July 20 has made a full recovery according to the sheriff’s office.

Rowan County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a woman who said her boyfriend had pulled her hair and threatened to kill her. When a deputy arrived at the home on East Hwy. 152, he was talking with the male resident about what happened when the man warned the officer a dog was approaching and that the dog “will bite.”

According to reports, the dog bit the officer in the thigh and the deputy took out his service weapon and fired twice at the dog. The animal released the officer, and the homeowner took the dog inside. A China Grove police officer arrived and completed the interview with the homeowner while the deputy backed off to check for injuries. He then realized that the dog had actually caught a mouthful of equipment instead of his thigh and he was not injured.

The initial caller, meanwhile, was home by then and said she had no visible injuries and did not wish to press charges. The dog was taken to the vet and has made a full recovery.