KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A K9 is recovering after being stabbed several times by a suspect resisting officers in Kalamazoo, the Department of Public Safety says.
Officers were called to a scene in the 900 block of West Kalamazoo Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
When they arrived, they found a man standing on a porch with a box cutter, threatening to stab people, police say. Police told him to drop the blade. The man, who is 49, then threatened to kill officers.
The suspect turned his attention on a K9 handler, Officer Max Houtman, and began to approach him.
K9 Sledge, a Dutch Shepherd, was deployed. He apprehended the suspect, but Sledge was stabbed several times in the throat.
Officers drove Sledge to an animal hospital in Byron Center. He was stabbed in the jugular vein and was quickly losing blood.
An officer held pressure to the wound the entire ride, which was likely instrumental in saving the dogs life, the vet clinic said. Watch those harrowing moments here:
Fortunately, vet staff were able to get the wound closed and the dog stabilized quickly. They say he lost 40% of his blood.
Sledge was released shortly after midnight and walked out of the clinic on his own four legs. He is expected make a full recovery at home with his handler, vet staff say.
The suspect was treated at a nearby hospital for injuries on his arm caused by Sledge. He's lodged at the Kalamazoo County jail on numerous felonies related to the attack.
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