ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A shepherd mix police dog escaped from his kennel Tuesday afternoon and bit a man in Ventana Ranch, said Albuquerque police spokeswoman Tasia Martinez.
She said the man had only minor injuries.
"We believe the dog was able to learn how to get himself out of the cage or lift the latch," Martinez said. "They're very smart dogs."
Martinez said the dog escaped from its kennel at its handler's West Side home and wandered up to Michael Marshall in the 10000 block of Silverton NW.
"He told us he gave the dog water and was petting it; he thought he looked thirsty," Martinez said. But when Marshall's father-in-law approached the dog, it bit his forearm.
Martinez said the wound did not need stitches.
Marshall said he did not want to comment on the incident until he consulted with his lawyer, since he is considering litigation against Albuquerque Police Department. He called the dog "unstable."
Martinez said police dogs are highly trained but should be kept with their handlers at all times.
"It's very important that they are always with their handler, who is specially trained to handle them and control them and their behaviors," she said.
Animal Control will investigate the incident the same way it would any other dog bite. Martinez said APD welcomes that investigation.
She said no one in the department can think of a similar escape in the past and called the incident "rare and unusual."
"We don't consider (police dogs) to be dangerous, and we certainly don't want any citizens to be injured," Martinez said. "We're doing everything we can to investigate this thoroughly."
Martinez said the department checked all its other dog kennels to make sure they are secure and will start requiring an additional clip lock on the kennels. She said the department is also looking into buying new latches. She said it does not appear that the dog's handler was negligent, but that possibility will be investigated.
Martinez said it is unclear what will happen next for the dog, but she does not believe he will be removed from duty. The dog, which is about 4 years old, was off the streets and being rehabilitated after it was injured on the job several weeks ago.