VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A Vancouver police dog suffered a broken tooth after being kicked and punched by a man who officers arrested for early Monday for allegedly trying to steal a marked police car.
The officers were also allegedly assaulted by the 66-year-old man, who the Vancouver Police Department says was also arrested on accusations of uttering threats in Stanley Park the day before.
Just before 6 a.m. Monday, city staff reported seeing a man break into a secure compound within the National Yards and called 9-1-1.
Officers stopped a man from attempting to steal a police vehicle and took him into custody, says a release from the police department.
However, during the arrest, the man allegedly fought with officers and kicked and punched the police dog, Vader, according to police.
A @VPDCanine dog has a broken tooth after being kicked by a man accused of breaking into the National Yards and trying to steal a police cruiser at about 6a. The #VPD says the man also assaulted officers who weren't seriously hurt. Multiple charges being recommended. @NEWS1130 https://t.co/mTWLXOSkQW
— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) May 11, 2020
“Although our officers did not suffer serious injuries, the police dog had a tooth broken after being kicked by the would-be car thief,” Sgt. Aaron Roed says.
“We are very fortunate that our officers and canine unit were not seriously injured during the incident.”
The man was reportedly attempting to start the vehicle before he was stopped by officers, says police.
The same individual was arrested for supposedly uttering threats in Stanley Park on Sunday, taken to jail, and released on a promise to appear, adds the department.
The man, of no fixed address, was taken to a hospital for assessment Monday and remains there.
Multiple charges are being recommended, including assaulting a police officer and a police dog.
