MCSO K9 injured following barricade situation in West Valley
Feb 12, 2020, 4:45 PM | Updated: 5:24 pm
(MCSO Photo)
(MCSO Photo)
PHOENIX — A Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office K9 was injured Tuesday following a barricade situation in a West Valley home, authorities said.
Karl suffered injuries to his head after he was shot by a pellet gun and struck by 61-year-old Harold Whistler, the agency said in a press release.
MCSO deputies were called to the area near 293rd Avenue and Polk Street in Buckeye following reports that Whistler was armed with a rifle and pistol, stopping traffic and pointing a gun at people.
Whistler then retreated into his home and barricaded himself there for several hours, MCSO said.
After Whistler wouldn’t surrender, Karl was sent into the home and attacked the suspect, who fired three rounds from a pellet gun that struck the dog in his ear and mouth.
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Whistler tried to escape Karl’s grasp by striking the dog in the head with his gun, but was unsuccessful.
Whistler was charged with five counts of aggravated assault and one count of harming a working service animal after being treated at a local hospital for a dog bite.
“Every member of the oneMCSO family is valued,” Sheriff Paul Penzone said in the release. “We will not tolerate acts of violence against our team as they work to keep the community safe. Karl will make a full recovery and return to his duties pursuing bad guys.”
