A Niagara Regional Police officer has been injured while protecting his canine partner from a 17 year old boy with a knife.
A K9 Unit officer was in the area of Hayes Road and Allanburg Road in Thorold yesterday morning just after 3 a.m. to check on several sites that have been targeted by theft and vandalism.
During the checks, the officer discovered an unoccupied car next to a former commercial production plant that has been used as a training site for the K9 Unit.
When the officer and his canine partner Jax entered the building they discovered two male suspects with flashlights.
Officials say the pair tried to flee, but the officer and Jax were able to track down a 17 year old boy who then started trying to stab the police dog.
Although the dog was ultimately unhurt, the officer suffered minor knife wounds while trying to protect his partner.
The seventeen year old from Thorold was placed under arrest and charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, attempting to injure a police dog, break and enter, mischief under $5,000, and resisting arrest.
The teen was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The second suspect has not been found.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the NRP.
Police Service Dog Jax was welcomed to the NRP last year during a special graduation ceremony.