By Willoughby Mariano
Orlando Sentinel
ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police dog was put down Monday after the dog was accidentally struck by a patrol car and attacked its own handler during a chase, police said.
Officer Danny Sidders and his K9 Viper were trying to capture two men running from a stolen sport-utility vehicle when Sidders’ nearby patrol car rolled forward, critically injuring the dog. As Sidders tried to pull a third suspect out of the SUV, the dog, in pain and confused, clamped his jaw onto his handler’s arm.
After minutes of failed attempts to get Viper to let go, Sidders was forced to shoot and kill him, Jones said. “It’s just sad that the dog wouldn’t listen to any command,” Jones said. Sidders suffered minor injuries and was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Driver Nicholas J. Frederick, 19, was arrested on counts of attempted homicide, crimes against a police animal, larceny, and other charges. Passenger Brian D. Haney, 18, faces a count of larceny. A third occupant, 16, was taken to the juvenile detention center on a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer without violence.
The incident began at about 11 a.m., when a police sergeant spotted a stolen SUV eastbound on State Road 408 near Interstate 4, according to a police report. Officers followed the truck off the southbound Rouse Road exit to a dead end. Police tried to stop the SUV, but Frederick rammed several police vehicles, tried to run over an officer and sped off, the report states.
Sidders caught up to the SUV after it stopped at a Kangaroo Express gas station at 14902 East Colonial Dr. Sidders placed his car in park, and both he and Viper jumped out to chase Frederick and the juvenile, who ran from the car, Jones said.
The patrol car slid into a culvert, hitting Viper and critically injuring him. Sidders noticed Haney was still in the SUV and tried to pull him out. He didn’t realize how badly Viper was injured, Jones said,and ordered the dog to help him. Instead, Viper clamped his jaws on Sidders’ arm and wouldn’t let go. Sidders euthanized him.
Sentinel Staff Writer Amy L. Edwards contributed to this report.
Copyright 2009 Orlando Sentinel