Mounties are reviewing the weekend arrest of a teen, who was mauled by a police dog during the takedown.
The boy was hospitalized with deep lacerations to his face.
James, the kid’s father, told CTV News he was shocked to see his child had a broken nose as well as puncture wounds and deep gashes on his face.
“My kid’s face was mutilated to the point where I could not recognize my child,” he said, adding the family is considering a lawsuit.
The boy is believed to be one of two suspects in break-in at a gas station at 14935 108 Ave. on Saturday morning.
The police dog services initiated a pursuit and one of the boys was taken down by one of the dogs.
The other suspect managed to get away.
The gas station reported that 40 energy drinks were stolen during the break in.
Sgt. Peter Thiessen told The Leader there will be a full review conducted by the Lower Mainland District RCMP of the actions by the dog, its handler and the suspect.
He said the injuries sustained are not typical, unless the suspect somehow further aggravated the dog.
“Our police service dogs are trained to bite and hold,” Thiessen said. “Now that can be exacerbated when you have an individual acting aggressively, fleeing, or any number of factors that could escalate that to another level.
“The review will indicate exactly what transpired that resulted in the injuries... and why this dog was apprehending this suspect in the manner that it was,” Thiessen said.
The 16-year-old has been released, but police are recommending charges in relation to the break-in.
The review comes only days after a Vancouver man launched a lawsuit against the Vancouver Police Department after his leg was allegedly torn badly by a police dog earlier this month.
According to the Pivot Legal Society, dog bites comprise half the injuries reported by municipal police in British Columbia during arrests.
- with files from CTV News