Shortly after 11:00 a.m. this morning, Norfolk dispatchers received a call regarding a possible dog bite in the 2000 block of Willow Wood Drive. Upon police and paramedic arrival, three men remained at the scene with non-life threatening puncture wounds. The dog was contained prior to first responders arriving on scene.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that an off-duty Norfolk police K-9 handler left his police K-9 unsupervised in his fenced-in backyard. The K-9 incidentally jumped over the fence before coming into contact with three men outside a home on Willow Wood Drive. The encounter took place less than two blocks from where the dog originally jumped the fence.
At this time, it is unclear what caused the K-9 to bite the men.
The men refused medical treatment at the scene and the K-9 was treated at a local veterinary clinic for several lacerations sustained during the incident.
The K-9 has been with the Norfolk Police Department for three years and is currently being held at the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center under a city-standard 10 day quarantine.
The K-9 handler has been with the police department for six years and has been assigned to the K-9 Unit for three years. The handler is currently on administrative duty pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigation.