Holly MatkinSaginaw, MI – A Saginaw Police Department (SPD) K9 is expected to survive after being stabbed in the head by a suspect who was ultimately shot by police.
The incident occurred during a hostage situation at a residence in the 600-block of Sheridan Avenue on Feb. 9, WWMT reported.
Police were called to 48-year-old Zane Blaisdell’s home for a report of a dispute with a neighbor at approximately 8 a.m., according to MLive.
At some point during the incident, Blaisdell allegedly took his male partner hostage inside the home they shared.
Officers were able to rescue the hostage, but Blaisdell stabbed SPD K9 Deebo in the head during the effort, MLive reported.
Two officers opened fire on the armed suspect, who died at the scene, WWMT reported.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) are handling the ongoing investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting, according to the Detroit Free Press.
K9 Deebo, a five-year-old German Shepherd, was rushed to a local veterinary hospital, where he was taken into surgery, WNEM reported.
“Physically, he seems to be doing really well,” Saginaw Valley Police K9 Association spokesperson Jody Wilk told the news outlet on Sunday. “He had a drainage tube removed on Friday. The doctor said there’s still a little bit of swelling that they’re going to keep icing, but nothing major to be concerned about.”
K9 Deebo’s stitches are due to come out on Feb. 21, and he cannot play with any hard toys or practice his bite work until the muscles in his head have healed, WNEM reported.
“Once he’s cleared to be able to work, the trainer will work with him and run him through a variety of scenarios to ensure that he can perform just like he did a week ago,” Wilks said.
The SPD won’t have to worry about the heroic K9’s medical bills, thanks to the generosity of supporters throughout the area.
“We can’t thank the community enough for that,” Wilk said of the donations, which paid off K9 Deebo’s medical expenses entirely.
K9 Deebo has been serving the SPD as a tracking, apprehension, and narcotics K9 for approximately three years, the Detroit Free Press reported.
“They’re one of our family,” Saginaw Police Chief Bob Ruth said. “And if you injure one of our K9s, it’s just like injuring a police officer.”
According to court records, Blaisdell was arrested in August of 2010 after he allegedly posed as a law enforcement officer and threatened two men with a handgun, MLive reported.
He was charged with felony carrying a concealed weapon, but a judge later found him not guilty by reason of insanity.