Here's how K-9 Jedi is doing after Carmichael stabbing

A Sacramento County sheriff's K-9 stabbed while pursuing a suspect last weekend in Carmichael is home resting with his family and is expected to return to duty in about two weeks, officials said Monday.

After the assailant stabbed Jedi, a 3-year-old German shepherd, his handler, Deputy Javier Bustamante, rushed him to a veterinary clinic, a Sheriff's Department news release said.

Jedi suffered wounds to his head and around one of his eyes, which were treated with sutures. Veterinary staff also found he had a scratched cornea and injuries to his "third eyelid," the nictitating membrane that protects and moistens dogs' eyes.

Jedi was released late Saturday afternoon. If he continues to heal without complications, officials expect him to return to full duty.

The K-9's assailant was identified by deputies as Jackie Burke, 41, of West Sacramento. The Sheriff's Department said in a news release Saturday it pursued Burke, a convicted sex offender, because of a tip from a state parole officer about a domestic violence incident.

Burke is facing two felony charges for harming a police animal and driving recklessly while evading an officer. Burke was treated at a local hospital for dog bites and taken to Sacramento County jail, where he is being held without bail for violating his parole, officials said.

Jedi was given his name in June 2017 by a Jacob Honsiger, a teenager fighting a rare type of brain tumor. Jacob, known for his love of dogs and "Star Wars," was invited to be an honorary member of the Sheriff's Department K-9 detail, and the unit tasked him with choosing a name for the shepherd, who was nearly 2 at the time and the team's newest member.

This story was originally published May 21, 2018 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Here's how K-9 Jedi is doing after Carmichael stabbing."