A Redondo Beach Police Department K9 named Wouter is recovering after a suspect bit off part of his ear during a tense standoff in Wilmington. The suspect, described as a wanted felon, had barricaded himself inside a home and refused to surrender before Wouter was deployed to help officers take him into custody.
Redondo Beach police officers and Wouter responded to the scene after the man refused to come out, according to CBS News Los Angeles. When Wouter was sent in to assist, the suspect bit down on the dog and tore off a portion of his ear — but Wouter still helped officers safely apprehend him despite the injury.
A Painful Bite, Then Treatment
Following the standoff, officers took Wouter to ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital for treatment. The department disclosed the injury and Wouter's recovery on social media, posting the caption “WHO'S A GOOD BOY?! WOUTER IS!” alongside photos showing a section of his ear missing near the tip.
Wouter is now sidelined for a period as he heals, and he wore a protective cone during his recovery. A cone can prevent pets from licking, chewing, or scratching surgical sites or wounds.
Open Questions Around Charges and Identity
As of late September, Redondo Beach police had not publicly released the suspect's identity or other details, according to Patch.
If prosecutors do pursue charges tied to the injury itself, California law offers a specific avenue. Under California Penal Code Section 600(a), the statute requires willful and malicious conduct without legal justification and describes specific acts. For serious injury, it provides for 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison, or up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $2,000, or both, according to FindLaw. The statute allows prosecutors to file either misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the severity of harm done to the animal.
Part of a Broader Pattern for Police Dogs
A Separate K9 Incident A December 17, 2025 report described San Diego Police K9 Bowie as wounded while assisting officers with a barricaded assault suspect.
Assembly Bill 742 seeks to restrict K9 force tactics, according to ACLU California Action. Nationally, more than 3,500 people receive emergency treatment each year for police dog bite injuries, a figure that underscores just how much physical force is involved when K9s are used to apprehend non-compliant suspects.
For now, the Redondo Beach Police Department has praised its K9 team's work in the Wilmington standoff and wished Wouter a speedy recovery as he heals from his injury.
