‘The dog did his job’: York police dog recovering after stabbing during standoff
YORK, Maine — York police dog Gunther is home resting and healing after being stabbed twice in the line of duty, attempting to apprehend a suspect now charged with reckless conduct and criminal threatening, according to police.
Gunther is expected to make a full recovery, according to York police, after he and his handler Sgt. Jon Rogers were in Cornish with the Southern Maine Special Response Team attempting to subdue a 66-year-old man.
Police were called at 6:45 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, after receiving reports the suspect had slashed his neighbor’s tires unprovoked while holding a gun, as well as using a utility tractor to damage their home.
When officers arrived, the suspect retreated into his residence, police said. That led to a standoff in which Southern Maine Special Response Team surrounded the home while attempting to reach him with crisis negotiators and mental health first responders.
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Gunther and Rogers attempted to subdue the man at a point where he appeared to be unarmed, according to police. The suspect, however, had access to a knife, and police allege he stabbed Gunther once in both legs.
The standoff lasted until 6:30 a.m. Friday. Police said the suspect was seen during the standoff armed with edged and improvised weapons.
The suspect was apprehended when he left the house with what was later determined to be a replica firearm, police said. He was brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect was charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening, criminal mischief, and refusal to submit to arrest or detention. A search warrant for the suspect's residence was also obtained.
Gunther was transported to Scarborough Animal Hospital where he was treated and released.
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York police Detective Sgt. Thomas Cryan said the department is “a little taken aback” by the stabbing, but they are proud of Gunther and Rogers for their part in apprehending the suspect.
“The dog did his job. That’s what he was supposed to do,” Cryan said. “It’s unfortunate that this is what happened. But the dog and his handler were prepared to do what they were supposed to do.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York police dog Gunther stabbed in Cornish, Maine stand-off
