Being a police officer isn’t easy — and that goes double when you walk on four legs. Police dogs put their lives on the line every day to help keep communities safe, but sometimes, danger doesn’t come from a criminal. Sometimes, it comes covered in quills.

Meet Odin, a brave German Shepherd with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit in Oregon, who recently had one of the most painful “on-duty” experiences imaginable.

On March 20, while chasing a suspect through the woods, Odin got a little too close to a prickly local resident — and ended up with more than 200 porcupine quills stuck in his face, paws, and even his eye.

A Routine Chase Turns Painful

That day, Odin and his handler, Sergeant Adam Slater, were pursuing Devin J. Wilson, a 29-year-old suspect wanted for several serious crimes. Odin was laser-focused on doing what he did best — finding the bad guy. But in the middle of the chase, fate decided to throw in a painful twist.

Instead of catching the suspect, Odin ran straight into a porcupine. The next thing anyone knew, the tough K-9 officer was yelping in pain, his muzzle, face, and front paws bristling with sharp quills.

Sergeant Slater immediately stopped the chase. “The suspect could wait,” he said later. “My partner needed help.”

Without a second thought, he rushed Odin to the Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital in Coos Bay, where veterinarians were ready to perform a delicate and time-consuming procedure to remove the quills.

Two Hours, 200 Quills, One Tough Dog

Odin was sedated as the veterinary team carefully worked for more than two hours to remove every quill. Some were buried deep under the skin; others were dangerously close to his left eye.

“It was one of the worst cases of porcupine quilling we’ve seen,” one of the veterinarians said. “But Odin handled it like a true soldier.”

Sergeant Slater stayed by his partner’s side the entire time. “We were really worried about his left eye,” he admitted. “But he’s okay now. He’s sore, not happy, and definitely on medication — but he’s home.”

When Odin finally woke up, groggy and confused, he gave his partner a look that seemed to say, “Don’t even ask how I feel right now.

The 80th Arrest — and the One That Got Away

Ironically, just one day before the incident, Odin had proudly helped catch the 80th criminal of his K-9 career. If not for the porcupine ambush, suspect Devin Wilson would likely have been number 81.

But thanks to Odin’s unexpected detour into the animal kingdom, Wilson managed to slip away. Authorities have since issued a warrant for his arrest, describing him as “extremely dangerous and likely armed.”

“The man we’re looking for has a long history of violent crimes and serious offenses,” the Coos County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Still, within the department, the focus wasn’t on the fugitive that day — it was on Odin. The brave dog who had faced down criminals, drug smugglers, and car chases was now recovering from one of the strangest and most painful injuries in his career.

A Community’s Hero

The story quickly spread on social media after the Sheriff’s Office shared updates on Facebook. Photos of Odin — his face swollen but his eyes alert — melted hearts across Oregon and beyond.

“Get well soon, Officer Odin!” one commenter wrote. “You’re a good boy and a hero!”

Another said, “You took ‘taking one for the team’ to a whole new level. Feel better soon, buddy!”

Thousands of messages poured in from people offering prayers, donations, and dog treats. Many thanked the veterinarians at Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital for their skill and compassion.

The Sheriff’s Office also issued a statement:

“The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the staff at Hanson-Meekins for their professionalism and dedication, as well as the public for their incredible support for K-9 Odin.”

Back on His Paws

It took a few days for Odin to recover enough to wag his tail again, but soon he was back on his feet — and back on duty.

Despite a few lingering wounds and a temporary “battle scar” near his eye, Odin was determined to return to work. “He’s a tough dog,” Sergeant Slater said proudly. “Even after everything, he still gets excited when he hears the siren. That’s my partner.”

A week after the incident, Odin was back in action — and, believe it or not, he caught his 82nd suspect. Talk about a comeback story.

Slater jokes that the department is now considering adding “Porcupine Awareness” to Odin’s training manual. “We’ll make sure he knows those little spiky guys are not suspects,” he laughed.

A Loyal Partner and a Fighter

Within the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, Odin is more than just a K-9 officer — he’s family.

“Odin is an incredible partner,” said Sergeant Slater. “I’m honored every time I step onto the field with him.”

The bond between them runs deep. When Odin was in surgery, Slater refused to leave the hospital. “I told them, ‘I’m not going anywhere until I know he’s okay.’ He’s more than just my partner — he’s my best friend.”

That kind of loyalty goes both ways. Odin has been with the force for several years and has helped capture over 80 criminals, locate missing persons, and protect his fellow officers in dangerous situations.

His bravery and dedication have made him one of the most respected members of the department — even among the human officers.

The Dog Behind the Badge

Outside of work, Odin is just a regular dog with a big heart and an even bigger appetite. He loves chasing tennis balls, playing tug-of-war, and stealing snacks when no one’s looking.

“He’s a total goofball at home,” Slater shared. “But when it’s time to work, he switches into full professional mode. It’s like watching Superman put on his cape.”

After his recovery, the department celebrated Odin’s return with a small party at the station. There were treats, photos, and even a “Get Well Soon” banner signed by everyone. Odin’s favorite part? The cake — a peanut butter dog cake made specially for him.

A Lesson in Courage and Compassion

Odin’s story is more than just a tale about a police dog who had a rough day. It’s a reminder of the courage, loyalty, and heart that working dogs bring to their jobs every day.

They don’t do it for medals, fame, or money — they do it because they love their handlers, their team, and their community.

Even after facing one of the prickliest challenges of his life, Odin’s spirit never wavered. His determination to get back on his paws inspired not just his fellow officers, but everyone who heard his story.

And while the suspect may have escaped that day, Odin’s bravery caught something far more important — the admiration of thousands.

Welcome Back, Officer Odin

As of this week, Odin is officially back on patrol with Sergeant Slater. He’s still healing, but you wouldn’t know it from the way his tail wags when he jumps into the squad car.

“He’s back where he belongs,” Slater said with a smile. “And he’s ready for whatever comes next — hopefully without porcupines.”

So the next time you see a police dog, remember Odin — the officer who took 200 quills to the face and still showed up for work the next week.

Because heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and sometimes… with a few extra needles in their snout.