A Pasadena police dog ended up with a 2-inch-long laceration on his snout on Christmas Day that required stitches after a burglary suspect refused to leave a 99 Cents Only Store in Pasadena and threw a metal object at him, police said.
Rex, a 2-year-old Dutch shepherd, is with his handler and recovering from his injury, Lt. Edgar Sanchez said.
The suspect, a 45-year-old Pasadena man, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and injuring a peace officer’s animal.
At around noon on Monday, Dec. 25, a caller reported to police that someone had entered the store, at 1720 E. Colorado Blvd., the lieutenant said.
The suspect allegedly broke into the store by throwing a rock at a back door, shattering the glass, Sanchez said. The suspect refused to come out, so Rex headed to the store.
Officers and Rex entered about 1:30 p.m. and found the suspect in a large storage room and he refused to leave, Sanchez said.
Rex was deployed, and the suspect threw a metal object at Rex, Sanchez said. Rex didn’t bite the suspect, he added.
As of Tuesday morning, the suspect was being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles.
Staff writer Michael Slaten contributed to this report.
