K9 officers are integral members of the Honolulu Police Department. Every day, these specially-trained dogs accompany their human counterparts in keeping the community safe and peaceful.
Officers from the Oahu station are proud to have these canines by their side as they consistently do an amazing job and are highly reliable.
One of the dogs they employ is a Belgian Malinois called Zero. Ever since he joined the department, he has proven to be a valuable asset and has been instrumental in numerous arrests and in the prevention of crime. His reputation as a K9 officer is well-known in their community.
But his promising career could have ended during a call to stop a domestic dispute.
Violent dispute
K9 unit members of the Honolulu Police Department each received a custom-fit bullet and stab-proof vest to help protect them while in the line of duty. It came from an anonymous donor and was coursed through a nonprofit organization. Ever since they got them, the dogs regularly wore the vests on every operation they did. This proved to be an effective lifesaver.
Zero, along with his handler and other officers, responded to a domestic dispute call one day. Two roommates were having a loud and physical argument about their home expenses. The cops were able to diffuse the situation. But hours later, the fight started again, and they had to go back.
This time, the officers were met with a more violent altercation. One of the persons involved was wielding a knife. The authorities tried to subdue him using a taser and tear gas, but it wasn’t enough. Zero was sent in.
Multiple stabbing
Just as he was trained, Zero went for the armed man. The dog was met with the desperate thrusts of a knife. The vest took most of the blows, but some of them slipped and made contact with the dog’s exposed flesh on the neck. The Honolulu cops had no choice but to shoot the man.
Fearing for the dog’s safety, the cops rushed him to an emergency vet. They waited nervously as surgery was performed on Zero. After a few hours, the vet emerged and told them the operation was successful. The brave pooch was out of danger.
The department shared the good news online and lauded the efforts that Zero, and all other police dogs, show every day when they are on duty.
Source: Honolulu Police Department (Official Site) via Facebook