GRESHAM, Ore. -- A Gresham police dog was euthanized Wednesday after several recent biting incidents.
Lex the German shepherd bit his handler's 5-year-old niece on the face, seriously injuring the girl. The child suffered a gash that stretched from her mouth to her ear.
Officials said it was unclear what caused Lex to lash out. The attack occurred after the child walked through an opening in the fence at the back of the property where the dog was staying with his handler.
Lex, a three-year veteran of the Gresham Police Department, was initially quarantined.
"Several recent biting incidents indicate that GPD canine Lex could no longer reasonably be deployed for police services. His pattern of behavior did not meet the high level demanded under modern training and deployment standards. Public safety is paramount, and taking into account all of the factors described above, the decision was made to euthanize Lex," according to a police news release.
"This decision was not an easy one. It was only reached after careful and deliberate consideration of all possible options."
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