Indianapolis - A convicted burglar has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a police dog.

Clinton Hernandez, 21, of Indianapolis, pleaded guilty to seven of 10 charges against him, including burglary and interfering with a law enforcement animal.

Authorities said Hernandez used a 9 mm handgun to shoot and kill Bo, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois, following a burglary and chase.

Police officers were responding to a possible burglary at a home on the south side of Indianapolis on May 10 when they spotted a suspicious vehicle and began a pursuit. The driver fled on Interstate 65 and I-465 to the southeast side, where he ditched the vehicle and fled on foot, police said.

Officer Scott Johnson released the dog, which went after the Hernandez. Hernandez shot the dog when it bit him on the leg. Johnson also fired his weapon, striking Hernandez in the leg and hip.

Johnson said he still misses his canine partner.

"It's just like it happened yesterday," he said after the hearing Wednesday.

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