Update: Police Dog Released from Hospital, Suspect Charged

CASS LAKE (WJON News) -- A police dog is recovering after being assaulted by a suspect.

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that K9 Ryker has been released from a Twin Cities Veterinarian Hospital and is recovering comfortably at home.

Ryker sustained several serious injuries, including a shattered orbital socket, snout fracture, fractured teeth, and lacerated tongue and cheek.

Ryker will continue ongoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspect, 27-year-old Kyote Windom Cass Lake, MN, has been charged with the following offenses: Kill or Cause Great or Substantial Bodily Harm to a Public Safety Dog, Assault-2nd Degree-Dangerous Weapon (2), Assault-5th Deg-Inflict or Attempt Bodily Harm (2), Fleeing a Peace Officer By a Means Other Than a Motor Vehicle, Obstruct Legal Process-Interfere w/Peace Officer.

The Cass County Sheriff says on Sunday at about 4:45 p.m. they got a call of an assault in progress at a home in rural Cass Lake.

Deputies learned Windom had allegedly been in the area and was assaulting people with an axe. Two adult men were hurt but did not need medical attention.

Deputies began to search the area for the suspect, who was quickly located nearby. While attempting to take him into custody, Deputy Ryan Huston deployed his K9 partner, Ryker.

The suspect swung a large metal pipe striking K9 Ryker twice in the head, causing significant injury. The man was taken into custody.