Man sentenced to 5 years in prison for stabbing K9 Bloodhound

By Martha

Duke was stabbed during a manhunt. The man was sentenced to 5 years in prison
Duke is part of the Aiken County Bloodhound Tracking Team. Photo: Aiken Standard

A man who stabbed a K-9 police dog while fleeing from police was sentenced to five years in prison this week. Duke, a member of Aiken County's Bloodhound tracking team, was pursuing the man when he was attacked.

Duke was tracking down Patrick Spires and an accomplice suspected of stealing a vehicle. As Duke chased after the men law enforcement officers followed from behind. According to testimony from Deputy Felton Craig, bloodhounds are tracked with GPS collars but Spires cut off Duke's GPS collar and stabbed Duke twice.

the man who stabbed a k9 bloodhound was sentenced to 5 years in jail Fortunately, the tracking team was able to locate the injured dog because of the GPS collar. As some of the officers took care of Duke, another dog continued to track the suspects and lead officers directly to the criminals.

Duke recovered from the attack that occurred in November 2011 and returned to duty a couple of weeks later.

This week an Aiken County jury found Spires guilty on charges of cruelty to a police dog and resisting arrest. Circuit Court Judge Thomas W. Cooper sentenced Spires to five years in prison for stabbing the K9.

Duke is part of the Aiken County Bloodhound Tracking Team, which has six bloodhounds. As part of his work, Duke assists police in tracking down suspects and missing persons.

Via the Aiken Standard

Like? (1)

View more articles in: Community News

Touching photo captures emotional farewell between a man and his best friend

Guide dog saves two people from out-of-control car (VIDEO)

Inspiring two-legged dog defies the odds and enjoys life

Injured dog believed euthanized amazingly walks over 7 miles to return home

Kind-hearted children help comfort shelter dogs by reading to them

Inseparable friends: Beagle and boy's heartwarming moments together - Part I (PHOTOS)

Inseparable friends: Beagle and boy's heartwarming moments together - Part II (PHOTOS)

Loyal dog found guarding her deceased owner after 5 weeks in Australian outback

Dog poo couriered back to irresponsible pet owners in Spanish town

Vietnam veteran's dying wish is to find his lost dog

Comments on this Article

Duke is one beautiful dog and I'm relieved to hear he has recovered. I'm glad this criminal got jail time. I must also add that I think Aiken County Search Team needs to re-evaluate using bloodhounds to track in this manner. Bloodhounds are not naturally agressive dogs. To turn one loose with a gps collar to track criminals is leaving them defenseless. IMO this method should be saved for hunting deer, not criminals. I've been involved with bloodhound mantriailing for years, and the dogs are connected to their handler by a long lead, thus insuring they won't come up on a criminal and be attacked without backup, they won't run across a busy road or highway while on trail and be run over, etc. I hope Aiken County will adopt methods to insure their K-9 partners effectiveness and safety.

No one should be able to get away with such monstrous acts.

Faith in Justice System-Restored!!!

He should have been given more jail time. Just like our "human" officers, Duke is an "officer" upholding the law and helping out our fellow "human" officers. I think the price to pay should be the same as if Duke was a "human" officer. But I also think that anyone committing any type of cruelty to animals should have a very large jail sentence time.

» View all comments