Brantford Police say break-in suspect threatened to kill dog who helped track him down

Brantford Police Service Dog Mack was photographed with an officer in this undated image. (Courtesy: Brantford Police Service)

Two Brantford residents are accused of breaking into an industrial property to steal copper wire.

The Brantford Police Service said a “group of individuals” were seen in a fully fenced and locked compound near Colborne Street West and Canning Street around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

When officers checked the property, they noticed copper wire had been stripped from some of the buildings.

A wider search was launched with the help of a police service dog, named Mack, and Mack’s handler.

They eventually tracked down two suspects who led officers on a chase.

Police said Mack was the one who found them hiding underneath a portable trailer on the property that was being used as an office.

“During the arrest, a male suspect uttered threats to stab and kill the police service dog,” a media release said.

Police said copper wire and break-in tools were found on the pair.

A 46-year-old man and 48-year-old woman were both charged with break and enter a place to commit and indictable offence, possession of break-in instruments and resisting arrest.

The man was also charged with uttering threats, while the woman was charged with theft under $5,000.

Police did not say what the extent of the damage was to the property.