A San Diego County Sheriff's K-9 named Nike is recovering after a burglary suspect allegedly stabbed him in the face multiple times during an arrest in Escondido early Saturday. The 6-year-old Belgian Malinois was treated for five facial lacerations and two puncture wounds before being released from veterinary care, and he's now wearing an Elizabethan collar while he recovers.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, the Escondido Police Department requested Nike's help just before 12:30 a.m. Saturday to apprehend a burglary suspect during a break-in at a business in the 100 block of South Orange Street. Sheriff's officials say the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Eric Rodriguez, allegedly swung a large stick and threw objects at officers before threatening them. Nike was sent in to help make the arrest, and officials say Rodriguez then stabbed the dog in the face several times before officers and deputies were able to restrain and take him into custody.
Nike's handler rushed him to a veterinary hospital in San Marcos. No further details on Nike's recovery timeline have been released.
Charges Rodriguez Now Faces
Rodriguez was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges including suspicion of injuring a working dog, second-degree burglary, resisting arrest, and property vandalism, per the sheriff's office account relayed by NBC 7. Under California Penal Code Section 600(a), penalties differ depending on whether the working dog's injury is serious or nonserious. A serious injury is punishable by 16 months, two or three years, or up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000, while a nonserious injury is punishable by up to one year in county jail or a fine of up to $1,000; under subdivision (e), a convicted defendant shall be ordered to make restitution for specified costs, according to FindLaw. Separately, California Penal Code Section 600.8 requires counseling for defendants convicted of specified California animal-related offenses who receive probation, rather than for everyone convicted of felony animal cruelty or intentional harm to a working animal, according to legal analysis from Bulldog Law.
A Pattern of Violence Against Working Dogs
Nike's stabbing fits into a troubling pattern across San Diego County. In December 2021, an Escondido Police K-9 named Aros survived being stabbed 27 times in the head and nose while holding onto a barricaded assault suspect hiding in a garage, as reported by Police1. The cases underscore the risks faced by police K-9s.
San Diego Police K-9 Titan needed more than 100 stitches after being stabbed during a call in 2021, and K9 Hondo was also stabbed in a separate incident, according to reporting from CBS 8 San Diego. Police officials said that without a police dog, especially in the second incident, officers might have had to use deadly force. In 2023, San Diego Police K-9 Sir was shot and killed, marking only the second line-of-duty death of a police dog in the department's 40-year K-9 history, a loss that drew community support and condolences.
Why Departments Keep Deploying K-9s Into Danger
Despite the risks, police service dogs remain a critical de-escalation tool. Data published by the San Diego Police Foundation shows K-9s resulted in suspect surrenders without force approximately 195 times per year in local law enforcement calls, and the dogs can assist officers during high-risk searches. That value comes at real cost: an Escondido police dog cost about $12,000, and San Diego County Sheriff's K-9 teams train regularly.
For now, Nike is recovering with his collar in place to keep him from disturbing the treated facial wounds. It remains unclear when he'll be cleared to return to active duty, and Rodriguez was booked following his arrest.
