Cheers as injured cop makes hospital exit

Injured NSW police dog handler Luke Warburton has been honoured by his colleagues with a guard of honour as he walked out of a Sydney hospital on crutches.

Acting Sergeant Warburton was greeted by cheers, family and his beloved dog Chuck as he left Nepean Hospital on Tuesday morning, a little more than a month after he was shot in the thigh during a scuffle with a man in the same hospital.

With his wagging tail, Chuck waited patiently for Sgt Warburton to walk the line of honour, until he could be reunited with his master and give him a lick on the face and receive an emotional pat.

On the night of January 12, Sgt Warburton was the first police officer on the scene after reports a 39-year-old man had held a pair of scissors to the throat of a female doctor at Nepean Hospital.

A hospital security officer was also shot with the same bullet that injured the NSW Dog Squad member.

Sgt Warburton's dog helped capture one of Australia's most wanted men, Malcolm Naden. In 2012 Chuck helped in the arrest of Naden when he bit the murderer on the arm as he emerged from his Hunter Valley hideaway.

Police said in a Facebook post that Sgt Warburton, a father of three, had a long road to recovery but would be supported through his rehabilitation by police.

"He can't wait to get back to work," Mrs Warburton told media last month.