PLYMOUTH, Mass. — A Massachusetts police K-9 was fatally shot by its handler on Tuesday morning, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Plymouth Police Department, Officer Keith Larson was forced to use his weapon when his dog, identified as K-9 Nico, attacked and bit him.
Police said Larson and the department’s K-9 team was on the scene preparing to track a suspect when the dog turned on its handler, WFXT reported.
Larson, a 17-year veteran of the force who has been with the K-9 unit since March 2017, attempted to get the dog under control but was unable to, the television station reported.
Please keep K-9 Officer Keith Larson and Nico in your thoughts pic.twitter.com/DFUP8HMXNj
— Plymouth Police Dept (@Plymouth_Police) December 29, 2020
“After several attempts to disengage Nico, Officer Larson was forced to utilize his service weapon,” the police department wrote in its release.
The dog was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Larson and Nico had been paired together since August 2019, the news release stated.
Plymouth police Chief Michael Botieri gave a briefing at police headquarters.
“It happened in less than 30-45 seconds, which is a long time that he had to go through that,” Plymouth police Chief Michael Botieri told reporters. “I’m sure you realize it is difficult too for a K-9 officer to dispatch their own dog like that.”
Botieri told reporters that the dog had previously bitten Larson during a similar deployment in April.
Resident Lori Medeiros said she heard the gunshots.
“I think it was about three gunshots fired,” Medeiros told WFXT. “I looked out and I saw the police officer on the ground.
“I didn’t hear any yelling or screaming. I just saw the officer down on the ground and I know he was obviously in distress.”
Larson was taken to an area hospital with injuries to both of his hands, WFXT reported.
Cox Media Group
