Following the stabbing of Police Dog Ed (also known as Edge), the following postings provide an update on his condition and that of his handler Constable Dave Whyte.
New Zealand Police are very grateful to all the messages of support from the public extended to Ed and Constable Whyte.
These postings are based on internal Police emails as to progress.
12 June 2006 9.50am
Edge has had his first weekend home after being injured last Tuesday. As he has had a large portion of his hair shaved, he is now the proud owner of an oilskin coat. The coat not only keeps him warm and dry but also stops him from scratching the numerous stitches that he now sports. He has already had to revisit the vet to have a couple of the metal stitches replaced.
His handlers home is fast filing with cards from people and schools, as well as a number of little 'treats' that have been sent in. Senior Constable Dave Whyte has been overwhelmed by kindness shown by not only members of the public, but also within the Police community. A number of businesses have also been to the fore, donating equipment to make the dogs recovery easier.
Dave believes the hardest part of Edge's recover will be keeping the dog quiet, something he has already signaled that he has no intention of doing!
9 June 2006 5.10pm
At 4:40 pm today, Edge arrived home from Massey University Veterinarian College. He will spend the early stages of his recovery period sleeping inside the house in a special kennel that is designed to keep him quiet and warm, having had a large portion of his coat shorn for the life saving surgery he received.
The handler and his colleges have been touched by the support the team have received from members of the public, with numerous cards having been received for Edge.
9 June 2006 10.45am
Edge will be released from the intensive care ward at Massey University to return to his handler's home in the Hawke's Bay. The dog's condition improved rapidly to the point where this morning, the specialist veterinary surgeons where happy for Edge to go home. The dog underwent a battery of tests before the medical staff gave the all clear.
Edge will now pass back into the care of local veterinary staff who cared for him immediately after he was injured. He will spend his recovery time with his handler and family at their home.
9 June 2006 8.50am
The blood transfusion from Greyhound 'Happy' has done the trick with Edge's condition improving greatly yesterday. Tests at the end of yesterday revealed a blood count just under normal.
With the greatly improved condition of the dog, a relieved and weary handler, Senior Constable Whyte, was finally able to head to bed. Apart from waking to phone and check on the condition of his dog, the handler got his first full sleep in three days.
So amazing has the rapid recovery of the dog been, he will be well enough to return to the Hawke's Bay later today or tomorrow for a period of convalescence.
8 June 2006 9.20am
Dog is alert and standing but has required a second blood transfusion due to some minor internal bleeding. Blood from a Greyhound called 'Happy' was used and Edge came through it well. Although still not out of danger, staff at Massey University are cautiously optimistic. The dog will still require intensive care for a couple of days.
The handler has managed a few hours sleep but has been by his dog's side for the majority of the time and has been assisting the University's staff in tending to the dog.
It is not known when the dog will be well enough to return to Hawke's Bay.
6 June 2006 7.54pm
Ed has just undergone four hours of surgery. The injuries were more significant than first thought, with his diaphragm being punctured, a nick to his liver, and muscle damage to his chest wall. He has undergone a blood transfusion and his blood pressure is good. At this time the surgeon is guardedly confident.
6 June 2006 1.44pm
Edge has been flown to Massey Veterinary Hospital. The local vets have done a great job in stabilising Edge. He was stabbed twice. He has a puncture to the lung from a large hunting knife which it is believed was fully stabbed into the dog. His condition is currently stable but there are concerns that the diaphragm has been punctured.
6 June 2006 10.09am
Dave Whyte's dog Edge (H/Bay Dog Section), was stabbed this morning while apprehending a person in a rural location. He has been flown to the vet in Havelock North in the last half an hour. Details of injuries are unknown.