Sun Valley's police dog is in trouble again after attacking and injuring a small black schnauzer in late June near Sun Valley Road.
Police Chief Cameron Daggett said Monday that K-9 Dax, a German shepherd drug-detection dog, is on vacation with Cpl. Mike Abaid, his handler, and that Dax's future with the Police Department is uncertain.
"The jury's out—we haven't made a decision yet," Daggett said.
Meanwhile, the black schnauzer, a 2-year-old named Max, is recovering at his home in Sun Valley. Owner Jim Chalmers said Max suffered a large gash on his chest and stomach and a smaller gash on his side.
"He's still traumatized, but he's getting better, so we're thankful for that," Chalmers said. "He's got a little psychological problem with big dogs, but he'll get over that. He goes under the bed a lot now and he didn't used to do that."
Max is the second small dog injured by Dax. In November 2007, Dax attacked a 6-month-old border collie mix while Dax was being walked in Slaughterhouse Canyon near Bellevue. The border collie's owner, Kerry Renner, alleged at the time that Dax was vicious and unpredictable.
Dax is a 5-year-old, dark-colored German shepherd that has been with the Sun Valley Police Department for four years. He is not a police attack dog, but is trained to find illegal drugs, missing people or evidence at a crime scene. He and Abaid are members of the Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Dax is generally sweet-tempered and likes people. He is often taken to local elementary schools and kindergartens for special police events.
However, he has been known to act vicious and aggressive around other animals.
The latest attack came on June 26. Daggett said Abaid had stopped to assist a motorcyclist who was having trouble with his bike and had pulled off Sun Valley Road into the entrance to Sun Valley Stables. He said Abaid left the back door of the police vehicle open because another man wanted to pet Dax.
Chalmers, a motorcycle owner and enthusiast, was walking Max along Sun Valley Road, saw the situation and walked over to see if he could help. According to Chalmers and Daggett, Dax saw Max and jumped from the vehicle and grabbed him in his mouth.
"He attacked Max and was shaking him like a rag doll," Chalmers said.
The man who was petting Dax was knocked down when Dax jumped from the vehicle. He suffered a cut lip and was taken by Abaid to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center where he was treated and released.
Daggett said the Police Department plans to pay for Max's medical treatment. Chalmers said the bill so far is $550.
"How bad was he hurt?" Chalmers said. "He's got a big tear in his chest with 15 stainless steel staples in it."
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Dax, the Sun Valley Police Department’s drug-detection dog, is in the doghouse again after attacking and injuring a small black schnauzer on June 26 near Sun Valley Road. Dax attacked and injured another small dog near Bellevue in 2007.
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