KALAMAZOO (WWJ) - A K-9 officer with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is expected to make a full recovery after he was stabbed several times in the neck by a suspect he was tasked with apprehending this week.
According to the department, Officer "Sledge" walked out of the Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Byron Center, about 42 miles north of Kalamazoo, five hours after he was rushed there on Tuesday (Feb. 6) evening with serious injuries.
The department said the "rapidly unfolding event" began when officers were dispatched to 900 block of W. Kalamazoo Ave. around 7:30 p.m. after reports stated a 49-year-old male armed with a knife was threatening to stab people.
Upon arrival, officers immediately encountered the suspect on a porch. The male was armed with a box cutter and allegedly began threatening police.
He ignored commands to drop the knife and began to advance on the officers, including K-9 handler Officer Max Houtman and his canine counterpart, a Dutch Shepherd named Sledge.
"K9 Sledge was deployed to protect the lives of officers on scene and the citizens that were just assaulted," the department said in a press release. "The K9 deployment successfully apprehended the suspect, but during the apprehension the suspect stabbed K9 Sledge several times in the throat area."
WARNING: The video below may be disturbing for some viewers. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
In released video of the incident, Houtman can be seen rushing a bleeding Sledge into the back of a patrol car and speaking to the animal while applying pressure to the wounds to his neck.
"You're OK, puppy. You're OK," he can be heard telling Sledge as another officer rushes the pair to the emergency vet.
Police pull into the parking lot of Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital in Byron Center to waiting staff members who immediately began life-saving treatment.
Early Wednesday morning, Sledge walked out of the clinic all on his own.
The department said Sledge lost 40% of his blood when he was stabbed in the jugular vein, but is expected to make a full recovery.
"KDPS extends its gratitude to all the staff at Animal Emergency & Specialty Hospital of Byron Center for their outstanding care and compassion of our K9 and the assistance of the Michigan State Police and Kent County Sheriff’s Office," police said in a update to the case.
Houtman and Sledge have been with the KDPS K9 Team since 2021, officials added.
The Township of Kalamazoo Police Department said in a Facebook post that their K-9s Tango and Kash "asked we pass along their get well wishes. Hang in there, Sledge!"
The male suspect was treated for wounds to his arm where Sledge had gripped him. He was then booked at the Kalamazoo County Jail on numerous felonies related to the initial attack and the attack on the police K-9.
The case will be submitted to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office for review.
"We are asking anyone with information about this incident or any other criminal activity to call the Criminal Investigation Division at 269-337-8139 to speak with a Detective," the department stated. "Information can also be provided anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at 269-343-2100, the 'P3Tips' app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com."