Police officer Liu Sufeng was deeply upset when he learned his canine "son" Hao Rui, may not recover from an accident.

Liu, 34, a police dog trainer in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and Hao Rui, his police dog, were seriously injured when they fell off from a 6-meter-high platform while on duty at Guangzhou Opera House two weeks ago.

Liu and Hao Rui were sent to the opera house to conduct a security check ahead of an international event on Nov 16.

When Hao Rui missed his step and fell from the high platform, Liu immediately stretched out his hand to help save the dog.

But both Liu and Hao Rui toppled heavily onto the cement ground. Both man and dog were sent to hospital for treatment.

Liu passed out before reaching hospital, while Hao Rui's right hind leg was found to have suffered a comminuted fracture.

Liu woke up after three days in the hospital's intensive care unit.

His first words to his colleagues when they visited were: "What's happened to Hao Rui?"

Liu was deeply upset when told Hao Rui may not fully recover from the accident.

Hao Rui is out of immediate danger after undergoing surgery, but might be left disabled, Liu's colleagues said.

Liu said he had been deeply attached to Hao Rui after more than six years of living together.

Liu said he has been treating the dog like his son in recent years.