A police canine with the Salem, Oregon, police department, was nearly choked to death by a man who he helped apprehend on Saturday afternoon, reported KGW News. The suspect, identified as Justin Lazo, tried to run from the authorities and canine, "Duke," was sent to help apprehend him.
Lazo allegedly grabbed hold of the German shepherd's pinch collar after the dog bit him, and then refused to let go, despite the collar cutting into one of his fingers. The struggle to get Lazo to release the dog lasted for several minutes and before officers could get the man to let go, the dog lost consciousness.
Officer Bruce Fineran, Duke's handler, described the chaotic scene, "He was dragging the dog, pulling him into his back, rolled over on top, rolling in circles on the ground while he had a hold of his pinch collar with both hands, I've been [K-9] handling for 20 years. I have never seen somebody grab a dog's collar like that." Lazo was finally subdued and arrested and Duke was rushed to a veterinary hospital for treatment; the dog had recuperated enough by go back to his handler's home by Sunday.