Man bites dog: Connecticut police dog reportedly chomped on during traffic stop, officers praise dog’s composure and experience

A Connecticut police department has confirmed that one of its police dogs was bitten by a suspect. The incident took place on Sept 3, with the details confirmed by the West Haven Police Department’s K-9 Unit.

In a Facebook post, they detailed that the department was requested to assist the Connecticut State Police on I-95 after a motor vehicle stop went wrong. They say the suspect attempted to flee on foot from the officers, resulting in a K-9 unit named Ado being released to bring him down.

Then came the incident that every journalism student is taught at school as an example. During the struggle, the suspect clamped his teeth down on Ado’s leg in an apparent attempt to harm his canine pursuer.

Much Ado about Biting

Most dogs would freak out at a human biting them, but Ado is apparently made of sterner stuff. The West Haven Police Department praises Ado’s “excellent and overwhelming training and experience, coupled with his 8-year law enforcement career in numerous apprehensions.” Basically, Ado kept his cool under pressure, precisely what is expected of cops.

The Department went on to note that: “K-9 Ado was vital in ensuring the Officers and Troopers did not obtain any injuries to themselves during the arrest of a potentially violent person. The suspect was successfully placed in handcuffs without any physical injury to the Officers. K-9 Ado was evaluated, but sustained no visible injuries.”

Responses wonder whether the suspect would be charged with assaulting an officer for biting a K-9 unit. A reply explains that in Connecticut the charge would be “Illegally injuring a peace officer animal”. That’s backed up by Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-247, which says:

“Any person who intentionally injures any animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a peace officer … while such dog is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of the active individual member of such team, shall be guilty of a class D felony, and shall be required to pay restitution to the law enforcement unit, entity or individual that owns such animal or dog.”

Others hope the suspect was vaccinated for rabies, wish that Ado got a “nice steak for dinner”, and put out a request for everyone “to send extra treats to K-9 Ado”. Incidentally, it appears Ado is indeed getting some special treatment, as indicated by their previous post marking his 9th birthday and showing him wearing some stylish shades and a party hat. But not all dogs are good boys, as this Pennsylvania man realized when his dog fired a shotgun at him.