Colorado Springs, CO – On Wednesday, a police K9 with the Colorado Springs Police Department was critically injured during a domestic violence call. According to the department, K9 Roam, a Belgian Malinois, was stabbed multiple times by a suspect who had barricaded himself at a home on Gorgeted Quail Grove.
Roam had to undergo emergency surgery a local emergency veterinary hospital. On Thursday, the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs provided an update after Roam’s surgery, writing:
Roam pulled through surgery and made it through the night! He had multiple surgeries on his neck, abdomen, and leg. His handler says that he has lifted his head to look around some and has even wagged his tail a few times. He will be working on taking a few steps today. Roam is still not out of the woods so please continue to keep him in your thoughts.
As reported by KHOU News, one of Roam’s legs was amputated during the surgery. The K9 was not wearing a protective vest because he is too young (18 months) and dogs are not fitted with them until they fully grown at 20 months of age.
The suspect is identified as Anthony Bryant, 37. He is facing multiple charges, including Burglary, Obstruction,
Resisting arrest, Attempted felony, and Aggravated cruelty to law enforcement animals.
Thanks for reading, we appreciate your support!
Please support us by visiting our design store on Bonfire!
7 Comments
When they retire this k9 it better be to a good home. I volunteer to be her/his owner. Don’t u dear put her in a shelter.
Roam, SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE FIELD UNTIL HE WAS 20 MONTHS OLD FOR HIS PROTECTION AND ALL FUTURE DOGS PROTECTION!!
IT’S COMPLETELY UNFAIR TO ALLOW THIS VIOLENT ABUSE HAPPEN TO SUCH A LOYAL, OBEDIENT, HIGHLY INTELLIGENT DOG JUST BECAUSE OF RIDICULOUS PRODICOLES!!!
Typical police abuse of “K9” dogs. This is in the negligence category. Severe negligence and lack of protection for this poor dog who will probably now be considered useless trash to be disposed of by the dept. and quickly replaced by some other poor dog. I sure hope Roam ends up with a wonderful life with people who truly love him. Sending an innocent, fear-trained, obedient dog into such a situation is 100% unforgivable. And the demon who stabbed him also has terrible karma in store for him.
How is this even a blueprint for safety ?!
Could there not be temporary vests in smaller sizes until K9 officers are fully grown ?
A human officer would never be sent in the field without proper protection !
This poor dog sacrificed a leg ~ This is a policy ripe for revamp !!!
The main threat to these dogs is the everyday torture they’re subjected to by their handIers. In addition to hanging to unconsciousness, heIicoptering, kicking and punching, etc., a vast number of K9s bake to death in patroI cars. The departments’ go-to excuse is “the AC wasn’t working.” THE LAST THING the dogs need is a heat-hoIding vest.
If the K9 units can’t be shut down (they shouId be), then the handIers and department heads shouId be personaIIy financially responsibIe for aII expenses involving the dogs (infcIuding purchase and vet biIIs). That might make them re-think their routine torture of these dogs (which they Iie about, cover up – with heIp from the media – and repIace with cutesy, emotional faIse propaganda.
If they’re too young to be offered some small level of protection then they are too young to do the job.
It doesn’t seem right that police service dogs are on duty in dangerous circumstances like this when they are too young to wear a protective vest. Dogs should be as well-equipped as their handlers.