California police send K-9 to apprehend wanted man, but the suspect bites off part of the dog’s ear instead  

There’s a reason police bring trained dogs to apprehend suspects, and it usually doesn’t involve the suspect biting the dog first. Yet that’s reportedly what happened during a SWAT operation in Southern California, where a wanted man allegedly tore off part of a police K-9’s ear with his teeth.

The injured officer was Wouter, a K-9 with the Redondo Beach Police Department who had been deployed to help apprehend an armed suspect barricaded inside a Wilmington home. According to the department’s account, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, the man allegedly bit Wouter during the apprehension, removing a small portion of his ear. Thankfully, the dog survived the encounter and is recovering after receiving veterinary treatment.

The incident unfolded as officers attempted to take a wanted felon into custody. Police said the man had barricaded himself inside a residence and refused to surrender, prompting the SWAT team to deploy Wouter to assist with the arrest. The suspect reportedly responded with a move that turned the usual expectations of a police dog encounter completely upside down. Apparently, the suspect had the opposite interpretation about the whole ‘man’s best friend’ arrangement. 

When the suspect bites back

Police K-9s are trained to assist officers in situations where apprehending a suspect can be dangerous. Wouter was doing precisely that when the confrontation took its unexpected turn.

According to the department, the suspect allegedly sank his teeth into Wouter’s ear and tore away a portion near the tip. The injury was visible in a photograph subsequently shared by police, showing a small section missing from the dog’s ear.

Despite the injury, Wouter continued assisting officers, who successfully took the suspect into custody, according to additional reporting from CBS Los Angeles. The department credited its K-9 team for its work during the operation.

Strangely, this isn’t the first time a suspect pulled an Uno reverse card by unleashing their inner canine. Not too long ago in Connecticut, one man tried to escape an arrest by biting a dog’s leg. We sincerely hope this isn’t becoming a trend.

Wouter is recovering, and yes, he’s wearing the cone

Following the apprehension, Wouter was transported to ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital for treatment. Police later shared photographs of the injured dog wearing a protective cone, giving the public a look at how their four-legged colleague was doing.

The cone might not be the most fashionable accessory, but it serves an important purpose. Protective collars help prevent animals from licking or scratching wounds while they heal, and Wouter is temporarily off duty to recover from his injury.

Wouter isn’t the only dog whose unexpected trip to the vet has drawn public attention. In July, a Georgia woman alleged that her pet was left fighting for his life after a grooming appointment at Petco. Different circumstances, same unfortunate reminder that dogs sometimes pay the price for human behavior.

The department’s social media update made its feelings about Wouter abundantly clear. Its post opened with an enthusiastic declaration that Wouter was a good boy before explaining the incident and wishing him a speedy recovery.

Police also expressed their hope that he would receive plenty of treats and scratches during his time away from work. Considering what happened during his last assignment, a little extra pampering seems like a reasonable reward.

Wouter’s name adds another fitting detail to the story. The Dutch name is commonly associated with the meaning “powerful warrior”, an especially appropriate description for a brave furry hero. 

For now, Wouter’s assignment is a lot less dangerous: rest, recover, and accept whatever treats his colleagues bring. The suspect may have turned the tables during the apprehension, but Wouter still helped his team get the job done. If anyone has earned the right to be called a good boy, it’s the officer currently recovering in a cone.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]