Search for man accused of stabbing officer, police dog in Bridgewater, N.S., enters second day

The search for the man accused of stabbing a police officer and a police dog in Bridgewater, N.S., has entered its second day.

RCMP announced on Tuesday evening that they were evacuating homes as their search for Tobias Charles Doucette continued overnight.

The Mounties have warned that Doucette could be armed with a knife. A police dog was stabbed as officers were attempting to apprehend their suspect.

RCMP are now leading the investigation after Doucette was last spotted in the Conquerall Bank area of Lunenburg County

The incident began at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday when Bridgewater police say officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at the Bridgewater Hotel on High Street in Bridgewater, a town 104 kilometres southwest of Halifax.

Once inside, the man allegedly attacked police with an “edged weapon,” striking an officer in the neck.

The man immediately fled the area on foot, according to police.

A woman, whom police have identified as Doucette’s common-law partner, received minor injuries before officers arrived. She was treated and released from hospital, police say.

The officer who was stabbed at the Bridgewater hotel has been identified as Sgt. Matt Bennett. Police say he is recovering in hospital following successful surgery Tuesday.

During the search on Tuesday afternoon, RCMP say Doucette was located by a police service dog and its handler.

Doucette responded by allegedly stabbing the police dog before fleeing the area.

The dog was taken to a local vet for treatment. It is in stable condition

The Mounties say charges in relation to injuring the police dog are expected to be laid on Wednesday.

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Doucette is described six feet two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes and is wearing black shorts but no shirt or shoes.

RCMP say that they “want Doucette to know” that their goal is to end the situation peacefully.

Federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said that the government has approved a request for assistance from the province in order to help with the search.

Details on that assistance were not immediately available.

Anyone with information on the Doucette’s location is urged to call RCMP at 1-800-803-7267.