Saskatoon Police say a Police Service Dog was stabbed several times while taking a suspect into custody on Wednesday morning. PSD Oliver suffered serious but non life threatening injuries that required surgery.

Police say the incident began when a canine team spotted a suspicious truck at Avenue W North and 33rd Street West. A traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle sped off. Then, officers spotted the vehicle travelling northwest of the city near Highway 16 and then on the Dalmeny grid.

Officers reported that the two occupants were throwing things out the windows and then the driver tried to ram patrol vehicles. The vehicle ended up stuck in the snow and the occupants took off on foot. The Canine team found a man in deep snow and were attempting to bring him into custody and that’s when PSD Oliver was stabbed repeatedly. The driver suffered minor injuries.

A 32 year old man and the passenger, a 31 year old woman, were taken into custody. The driver is facing charges that include posession of a dangerous weapon, dangerous driving and a charge under the criminal code that prohibits the killing or wounding of animals being used to help law enforcement officers. The Saskatoon Police Service says if found guilty, the mandatory minimum penalty is six months in jail.