GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Following a press conference Monday afternoon, the public is being told that a Green Bay Police K9 underwent successful surgery and officers are cautiously optimistic that the dog will pull thru after being stabbed at least three times Sunday night.
The department says Pyro, a narcotics tracking officer, was stabbed multiple times after police responded to a high-risk weapons call in the 1300 block of Western Avenue.
The suspect, Sai Vang, had threatened to kill his father and was warning that he would shoot any officers that attempted to impede him.
Police noticed that Vang had a weapon on his body, but initially were uncertain of the exact nature of the weapon.
“He [Vang] was getting closer and closer to our officers and refusing to respond to their requests for him to submit to a lawful arrest,” says Chief Smith. “That’s when Pyro was released.”
Pyro bit Vang and in the process was stabbed multiple times.
According to Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith, a taser was utilized by officers in order to take Vang down and complete the arrest.
He says the presence and actions taken by Pyro more than likely prevented the situation from becoming fatal.
“If that dog wasn’t out there it’s very likely we would have had an officer-involved shooting,” Chief Smith says about the incident. “And the only reason that guy is alive today, and I’m convinced, is because we used that dog.”
The stab wounds suffered by Pyro were severe and one gash to his esophagus was particularly dangerous.
On Monday morning Pyro had to undergo surgery and the department stated that the next twenty-four hours would be especially important.
The situation was so critical at first that Chief Smith claimed they believed Pyro had a less than fifty percent chance of survival.
At the conference on Monday afternoon, Chief Smith reported that the surgery was a success and the Pyro was progressing as well as they could have hoped.
He even noted that Pyro was able to stand at some point following the procedure.
His condition remains day-to-day and the department will be provided daily updates on the K9’s health.
“We are cautiously optimistic,” says Chief Smith.
He adds that the whole department has been emotional throughout this process.
“It’s devastating when something like this happens to your partner, even if it is a K9 partner,” he explains. “Officers sometimes spend a decade with a K9 officer and develop a very, very close relationship.”
Chief Smith says the K9 officers become a part of their policing family.
“Every officer that has a K9 rides around with that K9 all day, takes that K9 home at night,” he explains. “It’s a very, very close bond that they have.”
One very different concern going forward is monetary.
According to the department, they don’t have the budgetary funds allocated for Pyro’s surgery and medical expenses, which already tally around $25,000.
Because of that, the public will be able to make monetary donations for Pyro by dropping it off at the Green Bay Police Department.
They also will be accepting checks, simply make it payable to the Green Bay Police Department and write “K-9 Donation” in the memo field.
On Thursday, April 18, a fundraiser for Pyro will be held at Bark and Brew.
In May of 2018, Pryo was introduced to the department along with other K-9 officers.
