Ala. Handler Forced to Kill K-9 Who Attacked Him

A Hanceville (Ala.) Police K-9 handler shot and killed his canine companion late last month after the dog attacked him and began biting his head.

Officer Anthony Childress was training with his Belgian Malinois Ichi Bon at C.W. Day Park on June 24 when he was attacked. The officer was hospitalized after he shot and killed the 6-year-old dog.

The dog first bit into the officer's leg and turned loose after Childress fell to the ground. The dog attacked a second time, biting into the officer's head, causing lacerations that later required surgery. Childress freed himself from the dog and shot him after fearing another attack.

"Officer Childress thinks Ichi Bon mistook a wallet in his front pocket for a reward toy he used in training," Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long told the Cullman Times . "He loved that dog and he’s very upset about what happened."