Police dog stabbed after attempted Rotorua break-in

FILE

A police dog has been stabbed while trying to catch an alleged offender in Rotorua.

Police were called to a person allegedly attempting to break-in to a vehicle on Ford Rd in Fordlands about 3am, a police spokesman said.

The alleged offender fled the scene and was chased by a police dog before entering a nearby property, he said.

The dog followed and was allegedly stabbed.

The offender then went on to harm themselves and was taken to Rotorua Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, he said.

They had been arrested and were under police watch and custody in hospital.

The police dog required surgery and was currently in recovery.