MOHAVE COUNTY, AZ (AZFamily) -- A K-9 for a northern Arizona sheriff's office is recovering after successfully having his leg amputated this week.

K-9 Brutus with the Mohave County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) had his front left leg amputated due to lingering injuries from a crash three years ago.

MCSO says Brutus is now with his handler for recovery.

In May 2022, deputy Jeremy Felish was finishing up a call on the side of I-15 when he saw headlights coming towards his squad car. He pushed himself away from the car, which was sent 40 yards down the interstate, according to the MCSO K-9 Foundation.

Brutus, who started serving with the department in June 2017, was inside the squad car's cage when the crash happened and suffered internal bruising with no other obvious injuries. That was until injuries became a bit more apparent this year.

This summer, deputies noticed Brutus had a slight limp in his front left leg. Doctors listed it as arthritis in his paw and prescribed him medication, according to the K-9 Foundation.

Over the next several months, the limp got worse and worse, with muscle atrophy in the dog's left front shoulder. Doctors recommended continuing the medication and trying to exercise and massage Brutus's leg.

But earlier this month, Brutus was taken to Kanab Veterinarian Clinic for another opinion, where doctors determined Brutus had suffered nerve damage during the 2022 crash. Veterinarians recommended that they amputate Brutus's leg because it was not feeling any pain or pressure nor receiving any use.

Doctors found extensive nerve damage in Brutus' leg that was believed to be caused by a tumor.

The amputation took place on Monday. Doctors told deputies although the tumor is in the spinal cavity, they are confident it is not causing Brutus any pain or discomfort. Due to the surgery and Brutus' age, he will not receive any radiation.

MCSO thanked all veterinarians involved in treating Brutus, as well as donors who have assisted.