A Calgary police dog has been stabbed repeatedly in the head during a takedown in the southern Alberta city.
The Calgary Police Service said police were tracking two suspects during a break and enter at Grant MacEwan School in the city’s northeast around 1:50 a.m. Sunday.
Jester, a 6-year-old German shepherd, with hundreds of calls a year under his collar, gave chase.
That’s when police said one of the suspects pulled a knife, stabbing the K9 officer in the head. But not before Jester could get a bite of him in.
Jester is featured in this year’s Calgary Police Foundation K9 heroes calendar.
Jester was taken to an emergency veterinary hospital in life-threatening condition. Vets performed surgery and Jester was upgraded to serious, and is now in stable condition.
His partner was badly shaken by the ordeal.
“Canines are essentially our partners and his partner got stabbed,” Acting Staff Sgt James Lines told reporters Sunday. “The K9 handler I know quite well and he’s taking it quite hard, but Jester is going to be fine.”
Police eventually arrested both suspects who are male, young offenders and cannot be identified under Canadian law due to their ages.
Charges will be laid related to the break and enter. And, Jester’s alleged attacker will charged with Section 445 of Criminal Code, which is a relatively new section of the Act which calls for up to five years in prison for injuring a police animal in execution of its duties.
Known as Quanto’s Law, it was introduced in 2015 in response to the 2013 stabbing death of Quanto, a police dog in Edmonton.
Meanwhile, best wishes are pouring in to Jester.
Thank you for all the get well messages. Jester’s condition now upgraded to stable. Interview link via @CTVCalgary https://t.co/54i1DZMG5z pic.twitter.com/kO7pjG5SWc
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) July 30, 2017
From all the WPS Canine handlers and WPS members, we want to wish @CalgaryPolice Service Dog Jester a speedy recovery. Get well soon! https://t.co/33SsZEXqGm
— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) July 30, 2017
‘Jester’s going to be fine’: Calgary police dog healing after multiple stab wounds to headhttps://t.co/2Ls9dt7mTT pic.twitter.com/XHTTA5lWEC
— Sgt. Michael Elliott (@AFPAElliott) July 30, 2017
Thoughts with PSD Jester and his family. @VPDCanine Calgary police dog stabbed during Falconridge break-in call https://t.co/kxX2IslwP0
— PSD Hunter – Kilo 51 (@bear1675) July 30, 2017
Wishing #Jester a speedy recovery from all of us at @TorontoPolice https://t.co/lrhKr5nY6z
— Toronto Police K9 (@TPSK9) July 30, 2017
Our thoughts are with our friends from the Calgary police K9 unit after their dog PSD Jester was stabbed last night. https://t.co/nqN53Fej8Z
— Victoria Police K9 (@VicPDK9) July 30, 2017
UPDATE July 31
A 14-year-old boy has now been charged with maiming a police animal, as well as break and enter and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public. It’s the first time Calgary police have have laid a charge under Quanto’s Law.
A 15-year-old boy faces one count of break and enter.
Jester is now home with his handler recovering. Police released this photo of Jester’s wounds.
He is one lucky pooch.
“The Calgary Police Service and the Canine Unit would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes for Jester and his handler,” police said Monday.
Photos Calgary Police Service
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