The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is continuing their use of force investigation after a suspect was bitten by a police dog while being apprehended in Maskwacis on Sept. 10.
At about 9 p.m. on Sept. 10, the Maskwacis RCMP received a complaint about a man at a house on the Samson Cree Nation. The man was wanted on several warrants, including for matters involving firearms.
Officers went to the house and learned that the man had recently left on foot into the nearby rural area. Officers established containment of the area and contacted the emergency response team, police dog services and air services for support.
An officer began to track the man with the assistance of a police dog, locating him within 100 to 150 metres of the house. At about 10 p.m., the dog bit the man on the right inner thigh. The man was seriously injured and was transported to a hospital shortly after.
ASIRT’s investigation, which began Sept. 13, will examine the circumstances surrounding the use of force. No additional information will be released.
As part of its ongoing investigation, ASIRT is continuing efforts to identify people who may have witnessed aspects of the confrontation between the man and police.
ASIRT is asking anyone who may have been in the area and may have witnessed these events and/or may have video to contact investigators at 780-644-1483.