FILE. RCMP dog.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kelowna RCMP
August 03, 2020 - 8:37 AM
B.C.'s police oversight agency has had its attention called to an incident in Kelowna where a suspected bike thief was injured by a police dog.
An officer in a marked police car was flagged down Aug. 1 shortly after 10 p.m., by a victim who reported someone had just stolen his E-Bike in Kelowna, according to an RCMP media statement.
"The suspect allegedly made attempts to evade police, and rode to a well-known pedestrian and bike trail known as the Rail Trail," the statement reads.
"A Police Dog Service (PDS) officer was deployed to the area of the Rail Trail to conduct containment with his police dog, and saw the suspect riding an E-Bike towards him."
RCMP said efforts were made to stop the suspect and ultimately a collision occurred with the police dog. Then a struggle ensued between the PDS officer and the suspect. The suspect was ultimately taken into custody with the assistance of the police dog and additional officers.
Emergency Health Services was called and took the suspect to the Kelowna General Hospital for serious injuries related to the bite by the police dog.
The police dog was also taken to the vet for medical assessment and has minor injuries.
"The IIO BC is now investigating to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s injury," statement reads. "As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police."
Please note that all aspects and circumstances of this incident will be the subject of independent investigation and verification by the IIO BC. For more information about the IIO BC and media updates, you can visit their website at www.iiobc.ca
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