KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A man has been charged after he allegedly threatened police officers and stabbed a police dog multiple times.
Frederic Allen Walker, 49, was arraigned Thursday on six charges, including second-degree criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, seriously injuring a police animal, resisting and obstructing a police officer and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
This stems from an incident that happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of West Kalamazoo Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found Walker standing on a porch with a box cutter, threatening to stab people, police say. Police told him to drop the blade. Walker then allegedly threatened to kill officers.
He turned his attention on a K9 handler, Officer Max Houtman, and began to approach him.
K9 Sledge, a Dutch Shepherd, was deployed. Police say Walker stabbed Sledge several times in the throat, but was taken into custody.
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 dog's life, the vet clinic said. Sledge lost 40% of his blood.
Sledge was released shortly after midnight on Wednesday. He is expected make a full recovery.
Walker was treated at a nearby hospital for injuries on his arm caused by Sledge.
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