Police dog slashed in AOS call-out

File photo / Herald on Sunday

A police dog is undergoing surgery after a knife-wielding man slashed her nose during an altercation with the Armed Offenders Squad.

The 42-year-old Napier man will face charges after injuring Ila the dog during an incident this morning in Camborne, Porirua, north of Wellington.

Kapiti Mana Area Commander Inspector John Spence said police had been called out to the address to arrest the man, wanted for drug offences. Police had information that he may be dangerous.

The man tried to escape from officers and took out a knife. He stabbed himself when confronted by a member of the Armed Offenders Squad, Mr Spence said.

During the scuffle, Ila received a deep slash across the top of her nose.

Mr Spence said Ila had won praise last year as the National Police Dog champion, and was due to defend her title in upcoming weeks.

"Both Ila and her handler are extremely experienced in their roles and often face a high degree of risk to their safety," Mr Spence said.

"She was very gutsy about dealing with this armed and aggressive man."

A taser was used to eventually subdue the man. 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," Mr Spence said.

Medical aid was given by officers before the man was taken to hospital for surgery. He is in a stable but serious condition.

- NZHERALD STAFF