Stabbed police dog returning to work

A Christchurch police dog stabbed in the line of duty last month will be back on the beat tomorrow night.

Koal was stabbed several times in the head when he and his handler, Constable Reuben Whalley, were called to Coppell Place, Hoon Hay, on September 23.

A couple woke in the bedroom of their home about 4am to find a man standing beside the bed. He was holding a knife from the kitchen.

While the couple talked to the man, their 17-year-old son phoned police.

During a confrontation with police at the property, the man stabbed Koal and an officer, who was saved from serious injury by his stab-resistant vest.

Koal was due to have his last stitches out tomorrow, before returning to work, Mr Whalley said.

"He's healed really well and the fact that we had leave arranged has meant we've both had a good rest. Other than a few problems with the cuts on his back he has healed quickly. Hopefully he'll be back to work at 10pm on Thursday."

Mr Whalley said that at age six, Koal was nearing retirement, as most police dogs retired at about seven.

"As long as he's comfortable though we'll keep working him. It's a hard life working in the city, especially Christchurch with all these 6ft (1.82m) fences. On an average night he might go over up to 60 fences."

An unemployed 23-year-old has been charged in connection with last month's incident and is due to reappear in court on November 4.

He faces charges of attempting to murder the police officer, threatening to kill the woman who lived at the house, intentionally wounding the police dog, and using a knife as a weapon while committing the burglary of the house.

- NZPA