An Edmonton police dog is expected to recover after being stabbed Monday night by a suspect who is accused of fleeing from a stolen vehicle.
Just after 8 p.m., an officer noticed a suspicious vehicle driving along St. Albert Trail near Yellowhead Trail so he decided to do a check of the vehicle's license plate, which indicated it had been stolen.
The officer tried to pull over the vehicle, but it allegedly accelerated away, which then prompted a police chase.
The officer only followed the vehicle for a few blocks before calling off the chase, and the suspect vehicle continued on.
Some time later, the driver lost control and collided with a power pole near 118 Avenue. And that's when officers were able to take the passenger into custody.
The driver then reportedly tried to flee the area on foot into a nearby neighbourhood.
Police say Const. Darren Smith and Police Service Dog Cora were among the officers responding to the collision, and attempted to apprehend the fleeing driver.
As the man was being arrested, police say he allegedly pulled out a tool believed to be a screwdriver, and struck the five-year-old German Sheppard multiple times. The suspect was eventually brought under control and placed into custody.
Cora was taken to an emergency veterinarian clinic to treat two stab wounds to her head. Police do not believe her injuries are life-threatening.
Const. Smith has been Cora's handler since she joined the service. Sgt. Tom Pallas with the Edmonton Police Canine Unit says anytime a police dog is injured, it can be difficult for their human partners.
"It's a pretty unique bond that the handlers have with the dogs and very traumatic to go through something like that and see your partner be injured in front of you there," said Pallas.
Police say the 22-year-old passenger in the suspect vehicle was arrested on three outstanding warrants. And the driver, 27-year-old Thomas Charles Bull has been charged with a several offences including, dangerous driving, criminal flight, and willfully causing suffering or injury to an animal.
Cora is one of a dozen dogs in the police service's canine unit.
"They are very well-trained dogs and it takes quite a lot to put them out of business," said Edmonton police spokesperson Jeff Wuite.
The animal is expected to be back on the job once she gets approval from the veterinarian.
With files from CTV's Laura Tupper
