COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — A Colorado Springs Police K9, Roam, is in critical condition after he was deployed on a call for service on Wednesday.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Colorado Springs Police Foundation said Roam has made it through his surgery and even wagged his tail a few times. While he is still not out of the woods, steady progress is being made.
He is still in critical condition, but is stable according to the department.
Roam was stabbed after officers with the Colorado Springs Department (CSPD) were sent to a burglary call around 10:45 a.m. at a home in the 7400 block of Gorgeted Quail Grove, which is located near Woodmen Road and Black Forest Road.
When officers arrived, they found 37-year-old Anthony Bryant had barricaded himself inside the home. The Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) and K9 personnel were deployed to assist in resolving the situation.
As they were entering the home, K9 Roam and his handler, along with TEU officers, were able to contact Bryant.
As a result, Bryant stabbed K9 Roam multiple times. Dr. Abby Sticker, a doctor with Animal ER Care, says Roam suffered several "extensive lacerations" to his head, neck, abdomen, and left leg.
A K9 must be 20 months old to wear a vest, and Roam is only 18 months old.
He was immediately transferred to a local emergency veterinary facility, where he's currently in critical condition and is undergoing surgery.
Dr. Sticker says he's undergone multiple blood transfusions, and the next 24 hours will be crucial to determining if he survives his injuries.
No other officers were injured during the incident.
CSPD later used chemical irritants and a taser to take Bryant into custody on the following charges:
- burglary
- obstruction
- resisting arrest
- attempted felony
- aggravated cruelty to law enforcement animals
Due to the severity of the attack on K9 Roam, this is being investigated by the CSPD Homicide Unit as an attempted killing of a police service animal.
If Roam dies, Bryant will be charged with a Class 4 Felony.
Since this previous article's update, News 5 has confirmed Anthony Bryant is an active-duty Army member stationed at Fort Carson. He was a member of the 10th Special Forces Division. You can read a Fort Carson Spokesperson's statement on the investigation below.
We can confirm that Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Bryant is a service member assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado. We will continue to support the Colorado Springs Police Department and offer our sincere and heartfelt prayers to K-9 Roam and the entire CSPD family. Please refer questions on the incident to the CSPD Public Information Office.
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