Man held after police dog is stabbed

LA Times ^ | august 1 2007 | DancesWithCats

[DancesWithCats]

A Lawndale man was arrested by Redondo Beach police Monday, accused of threatening the life of a family member and stabbing a police dog, authorities said.

Jimmie Lunceford, 39, allegedly stabbed the dog, apparently in an effort to get officers to shoot him, said Lt. Joe Hoffman, a spokesman for the department.

Lunceford was arrested on felony counts of making terrorist threats, inflicting injury on a police dog and attempted burglary, along with misdemeanor evading arrest.

Lunceford was taken into custody about 5 a.m. after a short slow-speed chase that ended outside a woman's home on the 2200 block of Rockefeller Lane in Redondo Beach.

Police began searching for Lunceford after a family member, described only as an adult female, reported that he had made death threats and tried to break into her home.

After police caught up with Lunceford, they said, he yelled at officers to shoot him.

When officers released a police dog, Valor, to subdue Lunceford, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the dog.

Officers, however, managed to apprehend Lunceford. He was taken to Los Angeles County Jail, where he was under suicide watch, Hoffman said.

The dog was stabbed twice in the neck area, Hoffman said, but was expected to fully recover and return to work in two to three weeks.

[DancesWithCats]

They should have obliged.

[DancesWithCats]

PING

[indcons]

This is NOT Breaking News. What are you going to post next on BN - a thread on your plans for dinner?

[DancesWithCats]

More from another website, believe it or not, dogflu.ca ...

A man is under arrest after stabbing a Redondo Beach police dog on Monday. The police dog is expected to fully recover and return to duty rather quickly. The 2 1/2 year-old German shepherd had two big wounds to his neck and had to get surgery at a local emergency animal clinic.

Lt. Joe Hoffman stated that the dog was extremely lucky as they could have easily lost what he called was a "great police dog."

Police arrested Jimmie Divo Lunceford. The 39-year-old was quickly arrested following the attack. Sgt. Shawn Freeman stated "He was yelling at them," Freeman said. "He basically said, `You are going to watch a dead man in your driveway.' He was shouting, `Next time I am getting in there." "Lunceford would not listen or follow officers' commands to give himself up," Freeman said. "Lunceford yelled for officers to shoot him, telling officers that he wanted to die and told officers that he had a knife."

The Police Doggie in Question ... poor thing ...

[DancesWithCats]

... and from the Daily Breeze, more details. The doggie's name is Valor!!

"Rather than resort to deadly force, canine officer Valor was deployed to take him into custody for the safety of everyone involved," Freeman said. "As Valor approached, Lunceford produced a knife and was able to stab Valor." Hoffman described the weapon as a kitchen knife with an 8-inch blade.

Valor's handler, officer Ken Greenleaf, said his dog had done everything perfectly, running up the driveway and engaging the man. But he noticed the man make five uppercut moves toward the dog and realized he had a knife. "I can remember saying, `Don't shoot the suspect, it's a dog,"' Greenleaf said. "I reminded myself, `This is not a human. I'm not allowed to shoot him."' He called the dog off and, along with three other officers pointing their guns, ordered Lunceford to drop the knife. He complied.

Lunceford was arrested on suspicion of attacking a police dog, making threatening phone calls, making death threats, evading arrest and resisting arrest. He was held at the Redondo Beach jail on $50,000 bail. Greenleaf drove away with Valor, not realizing the dog was wounded. When Valor appeared lethargic, Greenleaf examined his neck and realized it was bleeding. Valor was immediately taken to an emergency clinic and underwent surgery to examine the wounds. One wound was about 2 inches long, the other 3 or 4inches. In surgery, the veterinarian determined the knife hit the scruff of the neck and failed to cause serious internal injuries. One wound was about a half-inch from the dog's jugular vein but the knife cut through only the first layer of fur and did not penetrate his throat. Greenleaf said it turned out that Lunceford had a previous injury to his hand that did not allow him to hold the knife tight enough to put any power behind it. The dog was released from the clinic Monday afternoon and returned to recover at Greenleaf's home. He could return to duty in about two weeks.

"He's doing good. He's kind of out of it," Greenleaf said. "He is sitting here looking at me with sad eyes." Three weeks ago, Valor and Greenleaf took the top prize in a police dog competition in Ventura. It was their second victory in a row.

Each dog team was rated for obedience, agility, searching, protection and narcotics detection. Redondo Beach police brought Valor onto the force after police dog Basko died in late 2005 as a result of eating cocaine during a certification exercise.

[Bonaparte]

This guy has the same name, same spelling, as one of the greatest swing era bandleaders. I sure hope he's not a descendant. I just love Jimmie Lunceford and the Harlem Express.

[Badeye]

Jimmie Lunceford, 39, allegedly stabbed the dog, apparently in an effort to get officers to shoot him, said Lt. Joe Hoffman, a spokesman for the department.

Damn straight they should have obliged.

And the dog should bite the living hell out of HIS PARTNER.

[Niteranger68]

This is NOT Breaking News. What are you going to post next on BN - a thread on your plans for dinner?

It is to us. Thanks DWC.

[twonie]

WHo decides if it is breaking news? It’s breaking news to me. Hot dogs, beans, and french fries.

[Abathar]

Here in Indiana if you strike a police dog you get charged for assaulting a police officer. To be completely honest I don't think that is fair at all, having a dog bite you and striking it is NOT the same as striking a human police officer.

Dogs are not people, they can't be controlled at all like a trained officer can, what if you are innocent of the crime that the dog is going after you for? If a dog bites me I will fight back, that is just basic human instinct. They are great tools for officers, but they are just that, not officers themselves.

[Badeye]

Here in Indiana if you strike a police dog you get charged for assaulting a police officer. To be completely honest I don’t think that is fair at all, having a dog bite you and striking it is NOT the same as striking a human police officer.

Striking? He stabbed the dog.

Sorry, the moment this idiot employed ‘deadly force’ they should have put him down...dare I say it...like a dog.

[Abathar]

Oh I agree, if you use a weapon like he did that’s another story, but if you even slap it to get it to release your arm you get charged. I was referring to just a bare handed strike to get the dog to stop biting you, that I don’t think is fair at all.

[Badeye]

Oh I agree, if you use a weapon like he did that’s another story, but if you even slap it to get it to release your arm you get charged. I was referring to just a bare handed strike to get the dog to stop biting you, that I don’t think is fair at all.

Ahhh. Got ya.

I’ll just note they don’t usually have the dog grab if you aren’t trying to escape in most instances. You do have a point, its a natural reaction when ‘hit’ by a police dog.

[Horatio Gates]

I was referring to just a bare handed strike to get the dog to stop biting you

Although a natural reaction, that would be the best way to assure continued K9 application. I believe the handler will order the dog off once the suspect is compliant after ordering the suspect to not resist. I've seen a few dogs wash out for not releasing in time

[indcons]

AdminMods have removed this nonsense from BN - does that give you a hint, wise one?

[indcons]

LOL....the Mods have also removed it from News and put it into Chat. Breaking news, indeed. You are too funny (unintentionally).

[Niteranger68]

LOL....the Mods have also removed it from News and put it into Chat. Breaking news, indeed. You are too funny (unintentionally).

Just another reason people like you and the mods have made FR a less enjoyable place to visit. Enjoy your master race.

[the OlLine Rebel]

GERMAN SHEPHERD PING LIST

(Please Freep-mail me if you’d like to be on or off the list.)

[SandRat]

This is just sick! Hope they charge him with Animal Cruelty and Assault on a Police Officer (the Police Dog is a Police Officer in my book).

[LibKill]

He should be charged with “destruction of public property” and fined about a million bucks.