A Northland Police dog has been stabbed following an armed offender incident west of Whangärei in the early hours of this morning.
Late yesterday afternoon Police were alerted to a 37-year-old man believed to be carrying a knife and possibly in possession of a firearm at his Parakao address.
The man was reported to have been in an agitated state.
The Northland Armed Offenders Squad (AOS), along with CIB and Public Safety Team (frontline) staff, travelled to the scene.
While Police placing cordons around the man's property, the man has stolen a quad bike from another address and driven off. Police chased the man, who then abandoned the quad bike on farmland and ran off.
AOS and the Police dog handler started tracking the man through thick bush.
About 4am they located him in the bush area. The man has then stabbed the Police dog 'Gus' and then attempted to stab the Police dog handler.
After a struggle Police managed to subdue and arrest the man.
The man was taken into custody and Police are now looking at charges the man is likely to face.
The Police dog 'Gus' has suffered a punctured lung and has been transported to Veterinary Services Group in Carrington, Auckland for specialist surgery. He is expected to recover from his injuries.
Whangärei/Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Tracy Philips said Police staff were faced with a dangerous and fluid situation with an unpredictable offender.
"We had to track him across some difficult terrain in the dark.
After 'Gus' was stabbed his handler and another officer had to carry him out through heavy bush and steep hills for more than a kilometre."
Ms Phillips said several staff were at the location and a well co-ordinated operation, run from the District Command Centre, led to the apprehension of a dangerous person.
"However, one of our dogs has been injured during the incident and due to his bravery we averted more serious injury on our Police officers.
'Gus' is very much a part of our Police family and we feel for the dog handler who has witnessed his dog getting seriously injured."
Ms Phillips says 'Gus' was used as an AOS dog and was trained to protect his handler.
"He did just that and has paid the price, but thankfully he has survived."
'Gus' has represented Northland twice at the National Police Dog Trials.
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 430 4525 or 027 494 1214.
