Impaired driving charge laid after Edmonton Police Service officer and dog hit by vehicle

A senior was charged with impaired driving after a police officer and police dog were hit by a car while trying to make an arrest in a different case.

An Edmonton Police Service (EPS) police service dog and its handler were injured while attempting to arrest a suspect last month, EPS says.

At 1:35 p.m. on June 27, police had tracked a stolen car to an alley in the area of 106 Street and 106A.

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The officer and dog had moved to arrest the driver and passenger in the car when they were hit by an unrelated vehicle.

The officer was taken to hospital and had surgery for a non-life threatening injury.

The dog was assessed by a vet, who found it had minor injuries.

The dog is expected to make a full recovery and return to active duty in the coming weeks.

The 77-year-old man who was driving the vehicle that struck the pair has been charged with impaired operation causing bodily harm, and impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration equal to or exceeding 80mg%.

He is scheduled to appear in court on July 23.

“This incident is a reminder of how dangerous this work can be,” Staff Sgt. Craig Mathewson of EPS said in a news release.

“We’re incredibly grateful our officer will recover, and that the [police service dog] was not seriously injured.”

The people in the stolen vehicle were also arrested.

 A 33-year-old has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 1.

A 29-year-old is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and operation of a vehicle while prohibited and is scheduled to appear in court on July 21.