A police service dog that was stabbed during an arrest in Falconridge has returned to work, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) said Wednesday.
“He completed his first shift last night. He’s probably resting now,” Sgt. Jim Gourley said.
LISTEN: Sgt. Jim Gourley outlines the steps the Calgary Police Service took to make sure Jester was fit for work
Police said Jester was injured during a foot chase that occurred as officers investigated a break-and-enter at Grant MacEwan School.
The six-year-old German Shepherd, who has been with the service for just over five years, was stabbed four times in the head and was initially taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Gourley said the dog was examined by more than one veterinarian and that he has been given a clean bill of health – both mentally and physically.
WATCH BELOW: Calgary police tweet video of injured police dog
He said most of Jester’s physical injuries healed after about three weeks, but that CPS wanted to make sure there were “no lasting effects.”
“He’s the exact same dog, other than having a few more scars than he had before,” Gourley said.
“He’s definitely in the prime of his career.”
Gourley said it has been a long six-and-a-half weeks for Jester’s handler but that he’s excited for the both of them to be back to work.
“These handlers love coming to work and working with their partners as a tool to help in police work,” he said. “When they don’t have their partners there, it’s not the same.”