After his leg was amputated because of cancer, this West Allis K-9 is making a run for recovery

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It’s a story about resilience, recovery — and a lot of tail wagging. A West Allis Police Department K-9 is healing at home after being diagnosed with cancer last month.

Corporal Douglas Sayeg says one day, he and K-9 KC were out conducting search warrants, and the next day KC was diagnosed with cancer. Douglas says from the start, KC’s strength inspired them to keep going.

“He was 11 months old when I first got him,” said Sayeg. “When I go into work, he comes into work. If I go in for overtime, he goes in for overtime.”

At the West Allis Police Department, KC isn’t just man’s best friend, he’s an equal -- a partner.

“You form this bond that’s super special that you don’t get anywhere else and no one really understands that bond,” said Sayeg.

For the last seven years, K-9 KC and Sayeg have served the streets of West Allis, conducting search warrants, and keeping their community safe.

“I can’t tell you how many times he’s taken care of me on the street,” said Sayeg.

Last month, KC woke up with a limp.

“They did an X-ray and that initial X-ray showed some kind of cloudiness or formation around his left knee,” said Sayeg.

It was cancer.

“His leg would probably collapse and shatter,” said Sayeg.

Sayeg made the difficult choice to get KC’s leg amputated – slowing down the spread of cancer and his partner’s career.

“I was devastated. It wasn’t the way that I thought his career would end,” said Sayeg.

The thing about K-9's, though, is they’re just as tough as they look.

“Yeah, my mind’s been blown,” said Sayeg.

Less than two days after his surgery, KC was up and running.

"He lost a part of his body where us humans wouldn’t even adjust like that,” said Sayeg.

KC’s time serving his community with his partner may be over right now, but life with his friend has just begun.

Sayeg hopes KC can continue to serve his community in some way, whether that’s visiting local schools and hospitals. If you would like to donate to KC’s to cover the initial costs of all his medical procedures, his future medical bills, and medication, click here.