Ore. police dog bites trooper in heat of pursuit

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) -- A police dog in southern Oregon trying to help officers chase down a suspect ended up biting an Oregon State Police trooper on the arm.

The Oregonian reports that Gunner the police dog was unleashed by his handler at the end of a chase that began with a routine traffic stop by the trooper for a speeding violation in Klamath Falls.

But the Belgian Malinois (mahl-IN-wah) bit Trooper Patrick Irish on the arm as the trooper was running after the fleeing suspect.

A Klamath Falls police spokesman said the handler warned officers before unleashing the dog, but the trooper may not have heard it.

Irish was treated at a hospital and is awaiting doctor approval for a return to duty. Gunner is still on the job.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com