Clay County K-9 Luca Airlifted to UT Vet Hospital After Accidental Ozone Exposure

A dedicated K-9 officer with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office is on the road to recovery after an accidental exposure to concentrated ozone left him fighting for breath Tuesday afternoon.

K-9 Luca, a seasoned Belgian Malinois who has served the department for approximately seven years in drug detection and apprehension operations, was crated inside the building housing the Investigative Unit when an ozone machine was inadvertently activated. Within minutes, Investigator Steven Smith — Luca’s handler — discovered the dog in severe respiratory distress and vomiting.

Smith immediately rushed Luca to Big Bear Veterinary Clinic in Hayesville, where Dr. Kayla Lawlor and her staff provided rapid stabilization. Recognizing the need for advanced care, Luca was sedated and prepared for transport to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) in Knoxville.

In a landmark moment for law enforcement K-9 care in the region, Luca became the first K-9 to be transported under a new specialized program involving a trained flight crew from Erlanger LIFE FORCE Air Medical. The helicopter transport was provided at no cost to Clay County, highlighting a growing partnership between air medical services, veterinary specialists, and law enforcement to give working dogs the same critical care options as their human partners.

According to a Wednesday morning Facebook post shared by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Luca is progressing well and maintaining excellent oxygen saturation levels of 99-100%. He remains lightly sedated to keep him calm but is alert and engaged, closely watching everyone who walks by his kennel.

Luca is expected to complete a course of medication — seven more doses administered every six hours — designed to help clear and repair his lungs. Doctors anticipate he may be released as early as late Thursday evening.

The post noted that the veterinary staff at UTCVM has been phenomenal, allowing Investigator Smith to stay right in the kennel with Luca, providing comfort and love during his recovery.

The community’s outpouring of support, including prayers and messages, has been greatly appreciated as Luca continues to fight and improve.

Luca’s condition is currently listed as stable but was initially serious following the ozone exposure, which can cause acute lung injury in high concentrations.

This incident also underscores the importance of proper safety protocols around ozone-generating equipment in enclosed spaces.

Updates on Luca’s condition will continue to be shared as he continues his recovery. The entire Clay County community and law enforcement supporters are rooting for a full and speedy recovery for this valued K-9 officer.

Get well soon, Luca — you’ve got a whole lot of people pulling for you.