MHP K9 that attacked Laurel man ‘freed himself’ from kennel, patrol says [Video]

(Montana Highway Patrol Press Release)

HELENA — The Montana Highway Patrol today identified the canine involved in the Thursday incident in Laurel as canine Mike who served the Patrol for nearly three years as a full-service police utility dog. K9 Mike’s handler was Sergeant John Metcalfe. At the time of the incident, K9 Mike was in the care of another canine handler, Trooper Luke McKinney.

On Thursday, November 28, K9 Mike freed himself from his kennel and subsequently bit a man doing yardwork nearby. An officer with the Laurel Police Department was dispatched to the scene and forced to utilize lethal harm on the K9 to prevent further injury to the man. The man was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released.

The Laurel Police Department is conducting a third-party investigation into the incident for the Highway Patrol. MHP is also conducting an internal review to ensure a similar situation …