FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A New Jersey woman claims that a police dog attacked her two-year-old Yorkie, leaving him badly hurt and might attack again.
The dog's handler, Colton Gemenden is a Glassboro police officer and the woman's neighbor.
Christina Ginchereau said that on Feb. 2, her 16-year-old daughter took their dog Charley out to their front lawn when he was bitten by the police dog when her neighbor had just exited his police car with the dog and was heading into his house.
Glassboro police chief says in addition to paying for the Yorkie's veterinarian bills, the department had the was reevaluated, and is putting safety measures in place at the officer's home but are still reviewing the incident
Ginchereau said the attack happened when Loki, the police dog broke free of his leash and claims she is worried it will happen again adding that it wasn't the first time the dog became aggressive.
Charley was taken to an animal hospital for emergency surgery after he suffered injured ribs and a punctured lung, according to his owner.
"I just sat there crying," Ginchereau told NJ.com after she visited her dog who was at an animal hospital for a week. "My daughter couldn't go. She's still a hot mess."
Loki was trained for patrol and narcotics detection and has been working for the department since graduating from the John "Sonny" Burke K9 Training Academy in January 2020 with 22 weeks of training, Glassboro Police Chief John Polillo said.
Polillo added that Loki is temporarily being housed at the police department and has not returned to the Gemenden's home since the incident, pending completion of yard improvements like fencing.
"Other safety measures have been put in place at the K9 handler's property, as well as the actual handling of the K9," Polillo added. "As for the K-9, an electronic collar as well as a two-point lead with flat collar and a metal chain collar."
The dog was also re-evaluated by the John "Sonny" Burke K9 Training Academy and after completing a two-week program, was approved to resume duty, the chief said.
On March 22, the borough also gave Charley's owner a check to cover veterinarian bills which covered about $3,000 in medical expenses, according to the dog's owner.
