KCAW, Sitka Sitka’s first police dog, Justice, was the victim of an alleged assault this past weekend.
Detective Mark Hake, the dog’s handler, responded to a drunk and disorderly complaint Friday night at the Lakeside Grocery store. According to court documents, after being escorted off the premises, the defendant allegedly stopped at the marked police canine vehicle and punched the left rear window where Justice was housed. The defendant was also allegedly shouting while he struck the vehicle. He was placed under arrest and charged with “Harming a Police Dog” in the second degree, a misdemeanor offense. The defendant was also arrested on one count of resisting arrest.
KCAW’s Melissa Marconi Wentzel talked to Detective Hake about the incident and about the state statute protecting police dogs:
