Police officer and two dogs injured during Regina arrest

A Regina man is facing charges after allegedly telling his dog to attack police officers on Thursday morning in an incident that left an officer with a broken wrist.

According to police, officers stopped 29-year-old Nickolas Velikas’ vehicle in traffic in the 1000 block of Dorothy Street because he was wanted on outstanding warrants.

READ MORE:

• Sinclair, the new Regina police facility dog, greets the public
• Woman arrested after driving into North Battleford parade with bong
• Victim of police dog encounter believes dog involvement wasn’t necessary in 2019 arrest

“As police approached the vehicle, the suspect exited with a dog on a leash and continued to command his dog to attack officers and let go of the leash. The suspect then began to flee northbound,” the Regina Police Service explained in a statement.

“As an RPS K9 officer and Police Service dog were attempting to apprehend the suspect, the suspect commanded his dog to attack again.”

Police said officers used pepper spray and a Taser to separate the fighting animals. Both dogs were injured, police said, with Velikas’ dog suffering life-threatening injuries. The dog was seized by animal control, police said.

Velikas is now facing charges including He was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

The case marks the third police officer injury reported in Saskatchewan this week. On Tuesday evening, two officers in Saskatoon suffered non-life-threatening injuries during an altercation with a large group of children. Four minors were arrested as a result.