Watch CBS News

Mpls. Officer Bitten, Seriously Wounded By Own K-9

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis police officer is recovering after being seriously wounded when her own police dog bit her.

Veteran police officer Bonnie Edwards and her dog, Maui, have been crime fighting partners for 6 years, but a chaotic arrest last Friday left Edwards wounded.

It all began when officers pulled over Davontae Deshon Mchie after he ran several stop signs near 33rd Avenue North and Fremon Avenue North. As officers tried to handcuff him, Mchie started to drive off. As one officer jumped into the car to tackle Mchie, Edwards and Maui rushed to help. Mchie then jumped out of the car and tried to run.

"Officer Edwards engaged the suspect and the officers that were struggling and actually became part of that struggle," said Sgt. Danny May of the Minneapolis Canine Unit.

Mchie, Edwards and another officer ended up struggling between two cars.

"Her canine came to assist and inadvertently bit Officer Edwards in the leg," said May. "When she gave the dog a command, the dog realized he was biting her and immediately released his bite."

Edwards was hospitalized for two days, but is expected to make a full recovery. Maui will be allowed to come back and work with Edwards once she recovers.

May said Maui was just doing his job.

"He saw the commotion and what was going on, and he just happened to bite the wrong leg," said May.

May says it is relatively common for officers to get bitten when they are training dogs, and occasionally police dogs will bite another officer in the chaos of an arrest. However, it is exceedingly rare for a dog to bite his own handler

Mchie now faces two felonies and a DWI.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.