A police dog in southern Virginia has gone from the veterinarian’s table to patrol in about a week. K-9 Zajo of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office is working again, according to a department update, roughly nine days after he was stabbed several times while helping arrest a suspect.
Back to his usual self
On October 7, the sheriff’s office said Zajo is back to his usual self and working alongside his handler, Deputy Logan Grubbs. The dog didn’t just come back casually. On Friday, October 2, Zajo and Grubbs completed their patrol recertification, which covered obedience, article searches, tracking, aggression control, and building searches. wsetwset
The department also shared a lighter note. It said the community’s support has been appreciated, and that Zajo is “truly enjoying all his new toys and treats.” wset
What happened on September 28
The injury came during a Monday-afternoon response in Henry County. Sheriff Wayne Davis told rbs news now that Virginia State Police were conducting a crash investigation on Virginia Avenue when a woman ran into a wooded area, and the sheriff’s office came to assist. rbsnewsnow
According to the sheriff’s office’s account, officers first tried other options. Deputies say they used less-lethal impact munitions to try to gain compliance, and when that failed, Zajo was deployed. During the arrest, the suspect stabbed the dog multiple times. Deputies said the weapon was a box cutter-style knife. Woman arrested after Henry County hit-and-run and K-9 attack: HCSO +2
Zajo suffered facial lacerations and a puncture wound near his head and eye area. Deputies believed his injuries were not life-threatening and expected a full recovery. That prediction held. wsetyahoo
The suspect and the charges
Deputies arrested Taran Irene Maddy, 43, of Rocky Mount, Virginia, who was taken to a trauma center to be evaluated for injuries from the less-lethal munitions and K-9 bites. She was charged with assault on law enforcement, injuring a police animal, and obstruction of justice. yahoowset
Those are allegations, and nothing I found indicates a verdict. The sheriff said deputies and state police made every effort to de-escalate before deploying the K-9. yahoo
Not Zajo’s first headline
This isn’t the first time Zajo has been on the news. In May 2025, he located a stabbing suspect hiding in a wooded area behind a home in Axton, where the man was taken into custody without incident. Search-and-apprehension work like that is a large part of why agencies keep K-9 teams. btw21
Why it matters
Police dogs work in the same dangerous spaces as officers, often going in first. Zajo’s quick recovery is good news for the Henry County sheriff’s office and for the community that rallied around him. It’s also a reminder of the physical risk these animals take on every shift.
Quick answers
Is K-9 Zajo okay?
Yes. The sheriff’s office says he’s back to his usual self and back on duty.
Who is Zajo’s handler?
Deputy Logan Grubbs.
Where is Henry County?
Henry County is in southern Virginia, on the North Carolina border. Martinsville is its largest nearby city.
