California IN BRIEF : PALM SPRINGS : Wounded Dog Draws the Spotlight

A police dog that was shot and wounded in the line of duty has been showered with flowers and get-well cards from animal lovers. “Half my calls since the shooting have been about how the dog’s doing,” Sgt. Ron Starrs said. “Most just wanted to know how they could get a card to him.” The dog, a German shepherd named Kiwi, was shot about two weeks ago when officers sent him into some bushes after a man who had been seen walking with a gun. The man shot the dog and then refused to drop his weapon, officers said. Police shot and killed him. The dog will be out of action for at least a month, Starrs said.