Gordo, the dog hit by a van during a police chase, is out of surgery

Gordo, the small white dog who was struck by a fleeing van during a police pursuit on live TV and won the hearts of viewers, was recovering from surgery Thursday night.

In a statement, Advanced Critical Care, Emergency and Specialty Services in Culver City said that Gordo was out of surgery and that the procedure “went well.”

“Thanks to so many people who called, emailed, tweeted and texted good thoughts for this little guy,” the veterinary hospital’s statement said. “And for the many who so generously opened their wallets and purses to assist Gordo’s owner, well, what can we say, but ‘we love you all.’ ”

No further details about Gordo’s condition were released.

The mixed-breed dog was struck by an allegedly stolen Chevy Astro van about 9 p.m. Wednesday as the driver sped away from police in South Los Angeles. The chase went on for more than an hour.

The van lost its front tires at one point and threw off a shower of sparks, lighting up the night.

The pursuit ended about 9:10 p.m. after a police cruiser struck the van, forcing it to lose control and stop. Officers tried to use the PIT maneuver at least twice before bringing the chase to a halt.

TV news cameras captured the moment the dog was hit. He hobbled to his nearby home, injured and bloody, his owner said. Gordo was then rushed to the veterinary hospital.

Gordo suffered a deep cut to his muscle, as well as fractures to his hip and femur, veterinarian Erich Stumpp told KTLA-TV Channel 5.

The two occupants of the van were arrested at gunpoint. Yovany Rodriguez, 21, of Los Angeles, and Gwendi Valenton, 26, of Bakersfield were booked on suspicion of vehicle theft.

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