A Tacoma police dog bit an 8-year-old boy who accidentally kicked the animal Monday during a demonstration at Whitman Elementary School.
The boy suffered puncture wounds on his leg and received two stitches at a nearby hospital, police spokesman Jim Mattheis said Tuesday.
The dog, a 4-year-old German shepherd named Joe, remains on duty. He's been with police for more than three years, Mattheis said.
Until Monday, neither Joe nor any of Tacoma's other police dogs had bitten a child.
"This is just purely a reaction and could happen with any dog," Mattheis said.
Because of the incident, police will review their policy on demonstrations with police dogs. The dogs frequently go to schools and other events to interact with the public and show off their skills, Mattheis said.
"We get requests all the time," he said. "This dog is one we use for these kinds of demonstrations because he's around kids all the time."
Joe and his handler were playing catch with children outside the school as part of the demonstration. When the dog needed a break, the handler put Joe on his leash and took him off to the side, Mattheis said.
The handler took Joe off the leash, and Joe started back toward the children he'd been playing with.
The 8-year-old boy was sitting nearby, Mattheis said. As the boy leaned back, his legs came up and hit Joe in the mouth. The dog reacted and bit the boy on the leg, Mattheis said.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268
stacey.mulick@mail.tribnet.com
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