Worcester

Police Dog Stabbed Multiple Times With Screwdriver Returns to Work in Worcester

K9 Beebs suffered several head wounds, swelling and a laceration to his mouth in the Sept. 7 incident

A police K-9 dog who was stabbed multiple times in the head with a screwdriver while on duty this month is back on the job in Worcester, Massachusetts.

K-9 Beebs, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, returned to work this week with his partner, Worcester Officer Dan Pennellatore, the agency said Friday.

On Sept. 7, the duo had been called to 60 Foster St. where a man was allegedly threatening to stab bus drivers and light them on fire, police said.

The man, identified as Joseph Perez, 41, was then found behind some shrubs allegedly threatening to harm officers.

When Perez ignored commands by officers, K-9 Beebs was sent in to help. That's when police say Perez stabbed the dog multiple times in the head with a screwdriver.

Officers were able to intervene and remove Perez from the shrubs and arrest him.

K-9 Beebs, who has been with the police department for two and a half years, suffered several head wounds, swelling and a laceration to his mouth.

"The department was inundated with support from well-wishers, who hoped for a speedy recovery," read the statement from the department.

Perez was charged with assault and battery on ambulance personnel, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of armed assault to murder, trespassing, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, threatening to commit a crime and two counts of animal cruelty.

It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.

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