LAS VEGAS – A police service dog with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is on the road to recovery after getting stabbed in the line of duty early Saturday.
K9 Hunter was assisting the SWAT team in a standoff situation when he was stabbed twice in the neck. His accused attacker was identified as Joseph Arquilla, 27, according to KSNV.
During the attack, Arquilla’s blade broke when it struck Hunter’s collar, preventing worse injuries, the department said in a Facebook post.
Arquilla was arrested for mistreating a police service dog and resisting a public officer, the report said.
Hunter, a Belgian Malinois, has been with the department for seven years.
“Working is the activity that makes him the happiest,” LVMPD said in their Facebook post, “and if recovery goes well, he’ll be returning to service in a matter of weeks!”
Photos shared on social media by the department have documented the progression of Hunter’s recovery.
In the department’s latest post, Hunter appears to be moving on his own and resting up in his handler’s living room.
The pooch was given two specialized dog biscuits with the phrases “Thank you for your service” and “Get Well Hunter.”
