K-9 Unit Dog Bites La Mesa Cop Who Protected Fellow Officers

A La Mesa police Sergent took one for his colleagues on Monday night, when he was bitten by a K-9 unit dog while protecting fellow officers.

The officer, an 18-year-veteran of the LMPD, is expected to make a full recovery from lacerations on his left wrist and arm, sustained when he jumped in front of his fellow officers and was bitten, as a K-9 unit dog from the El Cajon Police Department was rushing toward them.

The dog was there assisting in searching the premesis for a man suspected of threatening his brother with a hammer, during a domestic disturbance in the 8200 block of Orchard Avenue in La Mesa.

According to Lt. Matt Nicholass, officers responded to the disturbance report at around 8 p.m. Monday. They arrived and began talking with the victim outside of the residence, and began a search for the suspect, not knowing if he was still on the property.

The officer, who requested his name not be used, requested a police K-9 to respond and assist in searching for the outstanding suspect. Upon arrival, police used the K-9 to search the crawlspace under the house. When the K-9 was released, the dog turned away from its handler and ran towards three other La Mesa officers, who were standing about 15 feet away from the K-9 handler.

That's when the officer, who had previously served in the military as a K-9 handler for 11 years, sprung to action, recognizing that the dog was about to bite one of his officers, intercepting the canine and sticking out is left arm to sustain the bite.

The K-9 handler immediately responded and took control of his dog. The officer was taken a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

The suspect in the original case has not been located and the investigation is continuing. No one else was injured.