A Whangarei man charged with stabbing police dog Gus as the animal was protecting its handler has been remanded into the care of a psychiatric unit.
Kelly Brindle, 37, has been charged with aggravated assault with a knife, assaulting a person with a knife, injuring a police dog and unlawfully taking a vehicle after an incident on October 3 where Gus suffered a punctured lung during a chase through dense bush.
Police said Gus was acting to protect his handler and due to the dog's bravery, more serious injury to police officers was averted.
Brindle's appearance was excused when the case was called in the Whangarei District Court on Monday.
Judge Duncan Harvey remanded Brindle in custody to the Mason Clinic for assessment.