EDMONTON – The man accused of fatally stabbing an Edmonton police dog has pleaded guilty to six charges, including animal cruelty. He is expected to be sentenced Friday.
Paul Joseph Vukmanich repeatedly stabbed a police service dog named Quanto last October while running from police.
READ MORE: Edmonton police killed during pursuit
The 27-year-old told an Edmonton courtroom that he was high on cocaine and methamphetamine when he fatally stabbed the police dog.
Officers set Quanto loose after Vukmanich crashed a car with stolen plates and ran away on foot.
Police have credited Quanto for saving officers from injury or death during the incident.
There is currently no law in the criminal code that specifically applies to harming a service animal. Police are hoping that will change.
Days after Quanto’s death the federal government promised “Quanto’s Law,” a specific law to deal with police service animals, but hasn’t released what the exact punishments would be.
READ MORE: Federal government to move on Quanto’s law
Vukmanich pleaded guilty to a total of six charges, which included animal cruelty and flight from police.
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The joint submission for sentencing included 26 months in custody – 18 months for the death of Quanto, and eight for the criminal flight from police, to be served concurrently. The joint submission also included credit for time served, which would equal about five months.
“We’ve looked at these matters, and at the case law, considered the global effect of everything,” said Crown Prosecutor Christian Lim. “We obviously would only agree to a joint submission we believed was appropriate.”
The Crown is also seeking $40,000 in restitution for the Edmonton police – the cost to purchase and train a new service dog.
“The police have lost one of their justice enforcers, one of their law enforcers, and so we’re trying to replace that and they’ve asked for restitution on that so we can ensure that, in this case, Quanto, who’s been lost, can be replaced,” explained Lim.
Two victim impact statements were read in court.
Cst. Matt Williamson, who was Quanto’s handler, described how the death has been particularly hard on his family, including his four-year-old daughter.
“Some nights at bedtime she would tell me she’s sad, tell me she misses Quanto, and cried.”
He also wrote how great Quanto performed, adding, “Quanto died well and proved his fearlessness.”
Staff Sgt. Troy Carriere explained that “Quanto was much more than just a tool; he was a member of the Edmonton Police Service.”
The judge did not deliver a sentence on Tuesday.
Justice Larry Anderson had concerns with the joint submission, specifically the length of time recommended for the flight from police charge.
A decision on sentencing is expected to be made on Friday.
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