Police Dog Stabbed and Airlifted to Hospital After Standoff with 'Suicidal Man'
The canine is in stable condition after the man, who also started a fire, stabbed the dog multiple times with a knife in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Police Department
Canine EnzoA police dog in Las Vegas is in stable condition after being stabbed multiple times and airlifted to a veterinary trauma hospital for surgery.
The canine, named Enzo, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) on Friday responded to a barricade situation involving a “suicidal man” in the 1200 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard.
“The officers learned the subject was armed with a knife and he refused to exit an apartment,” LVMPD said in a release. ”During this time the male started a fire in the apartment and the incident was deemed a barricade.”
After a SWAT team arrived, the man exited the building with a knife.
K9 Enzo was stabbed several times while working a barricade this afternoon. He is currently undergoing surgery. pic.twitter.com/d9z3verC5g
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 29, 2024
Related: Meet Yoda, the K-9 Police Say Played a Key Role in Capturing Escaped Fugitive Danelo Cavalcante
“He quickly closed the distance on officers who deployed less-lethal options including K9 Enzo,” police added. “Enzo bit the subject, but the male was able to stab the dog multiple times.”
Officers then took the man into custody and rushed Enzo to a local veterinary hospital, before he was airlifted to a veterinary trauma hospital.
Police later shared an update about Enzo, a nearly 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, via social media and confirmed that the dog was in “stable condition and is expected to live.”
One update showed Enzo lying on what appeared to be a surgical table with veterinary personnel's hands around him. Enzo wore a soft muzzle as he stared into the camera.
UPDATE: Enzo is feeling better today. The whole team is putting in time to give him that TLC. Thanks again to all the skilled veterinarians who have been taking care of Enzo. Thanks to VCA Decatur and Veterinary Emergency + Critical Care. pic.twitter.com/7VijQjSz4P
— LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 30, 2024
Related: Boston Cops Propose Law That Would Allow Emergency Responders to Transport Injured Police Dogs
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
In another update on Saturday, police said, “Enzo is feeling better.”
The man, who suffered self-inflicted stab wounds, was in “critical but stable condition” at UMC Trauma Center, police said.
Enzo has been working with the LVMPD for about a year.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
