Teenager sentenced for stabbing police dog after school break-in
The Calgary teen who stabbed a police dog while fleeing a school break-in will spend the next year under probationary supervision.
And if the teen breaches his probation in the first three months, he could find himself behind bars, youth court Judge Steve Lipton warned.
Lipton agreed with Crown prosecutor Camelia Wong that a threemonth period of deferred custody would be appropriate to send the offender the proper message.
Defence counsel Curtis Mennie had suggested straight probation, but Lipton said that wouldn’t adequately address the seriousness of the teen’s crimes.
The now 15-year-old earlier pleaded guilty to break and enter and cruelty to a law enforcement animal in connection with an incident last July 30.
The teen and his accomplice broke into a northeast Calgary school and stole computer equipment.
When police arrived the pair bolted, but the other culprit — who was later placed on nine months probation for the break-in — was quickly arrested.
The second offender, however, managed to initially escape and Const. Jason Welz unleashed his canine unit dog Jester on him.
HAWCS helicopter nighttime video, played in court, showed the teen flee on a bicycle with Jester in hot pursuit.
When the dog knocked the offenderoffthebicycletherewasa brief altercation in which the teen could be seen repeatedly striking at Jester.
He then ran away on foot with the dog following, until the fugitive jumped a fence.
The video continued to follow him until he jumped another fence into a back yard and crawled under a tree, before officers found him, chased him briefly on foot and then tackled him.
“I’d like to apologize for my action,” the offender said, before Lipton gave his sentencing decision.
“I understand the severity of the situation.”
The judge noted “hurting any animal is a red flag,” but doctors who conducted a mental health assessment determined there was no evidence of psychopathy.
“We’re not likely to see you again, unless you hang around with the wrong crowd,” Lipton said of the positive diagnosis.
The judge noted it’s rare for any first-time offending youth to be given more than probation but “this is a case where a form of custody ought to be imposed.”
“You’re warned if you breach, the director (of probation services) may put you in jail,” Lipton said.
“You stay out of jail as long as you comply.”
Along with the deferred custody and probation, Lipton ordered the teen to complete 50 hours of community service working with animals.
He’s also subject to a nightly curfew.
Jester required stitches and staples to close his four stab wounds.
Jester was off the job for two months and had to go through recertification before returning to the street.
We’re not likely to see you again, unless you hang around with the wrong crowd.