Gino, a trained German Shepherd police dog with the Tukwila Police Department, is now recovering at home after undergoing surgery for a stab wound sustained while on duty Monday night. (June 16, 2009)
TUKWILA -
A trained German Shepherd police dog that was stabbed by a shoplifting suspect Monday night is expected to survive his injuries.
Meanwhile, the man who stabbed Gino is also recovering after police shot him.
Dr. Paul Chauvin, a veterinarian with VCA Five Corners Animal Hospital in Seattle, performed surgery on Gino overnight.
"He was stabbed in the neck and, fortunately, it missed all the vital structures and went up into the top area, into the muscle of his neck," Dr. Chauvin told Q13 FOX News. "Any time we have a stab wound to the neck, that's a potentially life-threatening scenario. But we were able to stabilize him and go into surgery."
The attack could have been a lot worse.
"It was probably about a four-inch-deep puncture wound. Had it been a couple of centimeters in a different direction, it would have been a much different scenario," Dr. Chauvin said. "Unfortunately, this (attack) was meant to kill the dog. You know, he was stabbed in the neck. It could have obviously been a much more tragic situation."
Gino will need about two weeks to recover but will be able to return to the force.
Dr. Chauvin adds, "We're just happy to help. He's a super-nice dog and he's been really easy to work with. We wish him the best during his recovery."
According to the Tukwila Police Department's annual report from last year, K-9 Gino is partnered with Officer Jamie Sturgill. K-9 teams are put together after rigorous testing with both the officer and the dog. Gino is considered an overachiever in his class of K-9 recruits and reportedly did extremely well in testing.
Tukwila police spokesman Mike Murphy said a man stabbed Gino around 8:30 pm in the area of 144th Street and 41st Street in Tukwila. Officers had followed the man down Pacific Highway South after an alleged shoplifting from the Tukwila Trading Post Grocery Store.
Renton Police Department is investigating this case. A police spokesperson says since this is an ongoing investigation, details of the case won't be released for a while.
Other officers from the department's gang task force, who were on an emphasis detail nearby, joined the chase. They ordered the man to put his knife down. When he didn't, a Tukwila police officer opened fire.
The suspect was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His condition is unknown. Police aren't saying how many times he was shot. A witness told Q13 FOX News that the man was shot in his leg.
The dog stabbed is a male, two years old. He and his handler, James Sturgill, started training over a year ago. They have been working on Patrol for about seven months.
The Tukwila police officer who shot the man has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. Tukwila police say the Renton Police Department will be investigating the officer-involved shooting.
If you have any information about this incident, do not hesitate to give Tukwila police a call at (206) 433-1804.
Meanwhile, the man who stabbed Gino is also recovering after police shot him.
Dr. Paul Chauvin, a veterinarian with VCA Five Corners Animal Hospital in Seattle, performed surgery on Gino overnight.
"He was stabbed in the neck and, fortunately, it missed all the vital structures and went up into the top area, into the muscle of his neck," Dr. Chauvin told Q13 FOX News. "Any time we have a stab wound to the neck, that's a potentially life-threatening scenario. But we were able to stabilize him and go into surgery."
The attack could have been a lot worse.
"It was probably about a four-inch-deep puncture wound. Had it been a couple of centimeters in a different direction, it would have been a much different scenario," Dr. Chauvin said. "Unfortunately, this (attack) was meant to kill the dog. You know, he was stabbed in the neck. It could have obviously been a much more tragic situation."
Gino will need about two weeks to recover but will be able to return to the force.
Dr. Chauvin adds, "We're just happy to help. He's a super-nice dog and he's been really easy to work with. We wish him the best during his recovery."
According to the Tukwila Police Department's annual report from last year, K-9 Gino is partnered with Officer Jamie Sturgill. K-9 teams are put together after rigorous testing with both the officer and the dog. Gino is considered an overachiever in his class of K-9 recruits and reportedly did extremely well in testing.
Tukwila police spokesman Mike Murphy said a man stabbed Gino around 8:30 pm in the area of 144th Street and 41st Street in Tukwila. Officers had followed the man down Pacific Highway South after an alleged shoplifting from the Tukwila Trading Post Grocery Store.
Renton Police Department is investigating this case. A police spokesperson says since this is an ongoing investigation, details of the case won't be released for a while.
Other officers from the department's gang task force, who were on an emphasis detail nearby, joined the chase. They ordered the man to put his knife down. When he didn't, a Tukwila police officer opened fire.
The suspect was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His condition is unknown. Police aren't saying how many times he was shot. A witness told Q13 FOX News that the man was shot in his leg.
The dog stabbed is a male, two years old. He and his handler, James Sturgill, started training over a year ago. They have been working on Patrol for about seven months.
The Tukwila police officer who shot the man has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. Tukwila police say the Renton Police Department will be investigating the officer-involved shooting.
If you have any information about this incident, do not hesitate to give Tukwila police a call at (206) 433-1804.
