Article:
A Massachusetts police department is appealing to the public for assistance in a hit-and-run incident that left one of its K9 officers seriously injured this week. The Groton Police Department is urging residents to come forward with any information regarding the incident that occurred on Wednesday evening.

According to reports, K9 Bane was struck on Pleasant Street at approximately 4:50 p.m. in close proximity to the police station. Shockingly, the vehicle responsible for the collision did not stop at the scene. Fortunately, a concerned resident and two other vehicles halted to provide immediate aid to the injured dog.

Groton Deputy Chief Rachael Bielecki explained that the incident unfolded as an officer was aiding a disabled motorist in the police parking lot. Unexpectedly, Bane, who is typically well-behaved, sprinted away. By the time the officer managed to catch up, the unfortunate canine had already been struck.

Eyewitnesses recount seeing a dark-colored car drive away from the scene, heading west on Pleasant Street towards Ayer, leaving Bane behind in dire condition. The injured K9 was rushed to Tufts Animal Hospital, where he is currently in stable albeit serious condition. Bane suffered severe injuries, including a broken femur, dislocated hip, broken ribs, and punctured lungs. It is anticipated that Bane will be discharged from the hospital on Friday and undergo surgery next Tuesday.

Bane, a 5-year-old black Labrador, is not just an ordinary police dog but also a trained search and rescue dog and narcotics K9. Over the past four years, he has become beloved and well-known within the Groton community. His friendly nature and dedication to serving and protecting have made him an ambassador for the Groton Police Department.

Authorities are now urging anyone who may have cameras or was present on Pleasant Street at the time of the hit-and-run incident to contact Detective Andrew Davis at 978-448-5555 or via email at adavis@grotonma.gov. Any information, no matter how small, could prove crucial in identifying the perpetrator responsible for this heinous act.

The Groton Police Department sincerely hopes that the community will rally together to support Bane's recovery and assist in the search for justice. Acts of violence against police animals are not only heart-wrenching but also a direct assault on law enforcement as a whole.