Police dog injured in Porirua

A 42 year old Napier man will face charges after injuring a Police dog during an incident this morning in Camborne.

Kapiti Mana Area Commander Inspector John Spence says the injured dog, Ila, won praise last year as the National Police Dog champion, and is due to defend her title in upcoming weeks. Ila received a deep slash across the top of her nose during the altercation and is undergoing surgery.

"Both Ila and her handler are extremely experienced in their roles and often face a high degree of risk to their safety", says Inspector Spence. "She was very gutsy about dealing with this armed and aggressive man."

Inspector Spence says staff went to the address with a warrant to arrest the man, who was wanted on offences relating to drugs. They had information that he may be dangerous.

The man tried to escape from officers but when confronted by a member of the Armed Offenders Squad, produced a large kitchen knife and stabbed himself. The man refused to let go of the knife and continued to pose a threat. A taser was then successfully used to prevent the man from inflicting further harm on himself.

Inspector Spence says no other Police members were hurt during the incident.

"The taser device allowed us to stop the man from hurting himself further without the risk of officers becoming injured themselves," says Inspector Spence.

Medical aid was rendered by officers before he was taken to hospital for surgery. The man is in a stable but serious condition.