Man in distress arrested after stabbing police dog, Richmond RCMP say

A man is in custody after a violent encounter with RCMP that injured a police service dog in Richmond Wednesday morning.

A man has been arrested following an hours-long police incident in Richmond Wednesday that brought heavily armed officers to the area and prompted road closures.

According to the Richmond RCMP, a man in distress called 911 around 2:30 a.m. from a rural farmland area southeast of No. 4 Road and Westminster Highway. Officers and police dogs attended the scene.

“Officers located the man and attempted to engage to ensure his safety and the safety of the public. During the encounter, the man produced and randomly discharged an airgun as well as stabbed the police service dog,” Mounties wrote in a statement.

“The (dog) sustained multiple puncture wounds and was transported for emergency veterinary care, which is ongoing. Following the initial assessment, the dog remains stable and recovery appears favourable.”

The Emergency Response Team was called in and police closed off the area along Westminster Highway between No 4. and Shell roads and No 4. Road between Westminster Highway and Granville Avenue.

Just after 6 a.m., Mounties sent out a news release asking the public to avoid the area.

Police say the man was “safely” taken into custody at 7:35 a.m., five hours after the initial 911 call, and that there is no ongoing safety risk.

“Thanks to the quick response of our frontline members, (Integrated Police Dog Service), and (Integrated Emergency Response Team), this event ended with the suspect being taken into custody,” said Chief Supt. Dave Chauhan, head of the Richmond RCMP, in the statement.

“On behalf of our community we would like to thank our integrated teams and recognize the (police dog) and their handler for their bravery and service.”

The detachment’s serious crimes unit has taken over the case, which remains under investigation.