COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A Colorado Springs police K9 that was stabbed multiple times while responding to a reported burglary Wednesday has undergone surgery but is "still not out of the woods," officials with the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs said Thursday.
K9 Roam "pulled through surgery and made it through the night" after multiple surgeries on his neck, abdomen and leg, officials said in a social media post earlier Thursday. Officials said his handler told them he lifted his head to look around some and "even wagged his tail a few times," following the surgeries.
Veterinarians would be working on having K9 Roam take a few steps throughout the day, but he is "still not out of the woods so please continue to keep him in your thoughts," they wrote.
K9 Roam's stabbing occurred after the Colorado Springs Department (CSPD) responded to a burglary call at a home in the 7400 block of Gorgeted Quail Grove around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
When officers arrived, they found 37-year-old Anthony Bryant barricaded inside the home, according to CSPD. The Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) and K9 personnel were deployed to help resolve the situation.
Police said K9 Roam and his handler, along with TEU officers, entered the home and made contact with Bryant. K9 Roam was then stabbed multiple times by Bryant, according to CSPD.
He was taken to an emergency veterinary facility, where he underwent those surgeries. Dr. Abby Sticker with Animal ER Care said K9 Roam suffered several "extensive lacerations" to his head, neck, abdomen, and left leg.
No other officers were injured during the incident.
A K9 must be 20 months old to wear a protective vest, according to CSPD, and Roam is only 18 months old.
CSPD used chemical irritants and a taser to take Bryant into custody on the following charges:
- Burglary
- Obstruction
- Resisting arrest
- Attempted felony
- Aggravated cruelty to law enforcement animals
Due to the severity of the attack, this is being investigated by the CSPD Homicide Unit as an attempted killing of a police service animal. If Roam dies, Bryant will be charged with a Class 4 Felony, according to the department.
According to CSPD, K9 Roam recently joined the K9 unit and "has already made an incredible impact, proudly serving as CSPD’s first Certified Gun Detection Dog."
"His courage, loyalty, and dedication to protecting our community embody the very best of what it means to serve," the department wrote in a post on social media.
If you would like to donate to help support K9 Roam and his recovery, you can do so through this link.
Denver7 is committed to making a difference in our community by standing up for what's right, listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the videos above.
