SIRT clears Prince Albert police in case where canine unit bit suspect's ear
Man had to have part of his ear amputated
The Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT), Saskatchewan's police watchdog, has cleared the Prince Albert Police Service in a case where a police dog attacked a man and bit his ear.
The 25-year-old man had to have part of his ear amputated.
On Aug. 29, Prince Albert police chased a suspect on a motorcycle in the early morning hours, according to SIRT's report. The chase ended when the suspect ditched his motorcycle in Rotary Park, ran into a nearby yard and hid in a bush.
Police say the suspect threw a knife that struck the windshield of a police vehicle as he fled on foot.
A service dog found the man hiding in the backyard and attacked him.
The suspect told SIRT that police knew he was hiding in the bush, but still sent the dog in to attack him.
Police say they didn't know where the man was hiding until the dog found him.
In its decision, SIRT sided with the police, saying the officer removed the dog right after finding the man and gave him first aid.
This is the sixth report on a police incident that SIRT has released to the public. All six have concluded that the officers involved did not commit any offences.