Holly MatkinSan Diego, CA – A probationer who was released from jail early after stabbing a police K9 in January was arrested for stabbing a second police K9 on Friday, according to police.
Dedrick Jones, 35, was armed with two knives when he got into an hours-long standoff with San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers in January, SDPD Lieutenant Adam Sharki said in a press release on Dec. 18.
Jones stabbed SDPD K9 Titan during his apprehension, severely injuring the police dog.
“Canine Titan received 100 stitches, had part of his colon removed, and endured weeks of recovery,” Lt. Sharki wrote.
Jones was subsequently sentenced to one year in jail after pleading guilty to charges of assault on a peace officer and felony animal cruelty, but was released early in June due to “jail credits for time served,” according to the lieutenant.
He was on probation for that attack when officers made contact with him while investigating a vandalism call in the 3700-block of Riley Street the morning of Dec. 17.
When officers arrived at the scene, they spotted Jones “swinging a knife,” according to Lt. Sharki.
“Despite officers’ efforts to de-escalate the situation, Jones refused to cooperate and climbed onto a parked car,” the lieutenant continued. “Jones eventually stepped down and came towards officers while still armed with the knife.”
In an effort to avoid using deadly force, police utilized less-lethal tools, to include deploying SDPD K9 Hondo.
Jones allegedly stabbed K9 Hondo at least two times and was still in possession of the blade when officers moved in and took him into custody, Lt. Sharki said.
K9 Hondo was rushed to a local veterinary hospital, where he was treated for his wounds.
He is continuing to recover and is expected to survive, Lt. Sharki said.
SDPD K9 Unit Lieutenant Chris Tivanian told KNSD that two-year-old K9 Hondo “is doing well” and could be back to work in as little as two weeks.
Lt. Tivanian said it is “frustrating” to know the suspect who nearly killed K9 Hondo is the same person who nearly killed K9 Titan less than a year ago, KNSD reported.
“We love those dogs,” he said. “It is frustrating, but we will continue to answer those radio calls. We’ll continue to respond to the same suspects who were released.”
MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING A SECOND SDPD CANINE
Same Suspect Stabbed Canine Titan Earlier This Year Following Hours-Long Standoff
Read more: pic.twitter.com/SbXXfnKtQw
— San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) December 19, 2021
Jones has been charged with additional offenses of vandalism, resisting an officer with threats or violence, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, harming a police dog, and animal cruelty, according to the SDPD’s press release.
SDPD Chief David Nisleit said the horrific attack is further proof that more needs to be done to stop violent offenders from being able to harm others.
“Our system must do a better job holding violent offenders accountable,” Chief Nisleit said in the press release. “It is ironic and tragic that the man who had the gall to stab a police dog in January committed the same crime just months later.”
“This suspect must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law so that he will not have the opportunity to cause further harm,” the chief added.
Jones was being held on a $155,500 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, KFMB reported.
