WADESBORO, N.C. – The Wadesboro Police Department is mourning the loss of K-9 Blitz, who was killed during a traffic stop that escalated into a pursuit, WSOC reported.
The incident began on April 2 when officers pulled over a 40-year-old suspect for a fictitious license plate, according to the report. Police say the suspect fled the scene, prompting a pursuit that concluded after his vehicle’s tires were disabled in Mt. Gilead.
During the apprehension, K-9 Blitz was deployed and successfully took down the suspect, according to the report. However, the dog was killed during the altercation. The exact cause of the K-9’s death has not been disclosed. The dog’s handler was also injured in the incident.
“It’s very disheartening. I mean K-9s are part of our families as well,” veterinary technician Jody Miranda told WSOC.
The suspect, who allegedly apologized at the scene, now faces multiple charges, including assaulting a K-9 and attempting to run over an officer. He appeared in court and is being held in Anson County Jail on a $60,000 bond, according to the report.
Wadesboro Police Chief said this is the first time he has dealt with the death of a K-9 and has brought in a chaplain to help officers process the loss.
Dog breeder Josh Harrington, who donated Blitz to the department last year, has alleged that the K-9 was not supposed to be used in apprehensions, WSOC reported.
“They were not interested in bite work. They were not interested in apprehension, and I said, ‘Perfect.’” Harrington said. “…Everybody understood that the dog was not to be used in apprehension.”
The police department has not responded to Harrington’s allegations and has not released details on the cause of death, according to the report.
