A San Diego County sheriff’s K-9 named Nike is recovering at home after being stabbed multiple times in the face while apprehending a suspected burglar in Escondido.
The six-year-old Belgian Malinois sustained five facial lacerations and two puncture wounds during the confrontation, which required approximately 10 stitches at a veterinary emergency hospital, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office. Nike was released from care early Sunday morning and is now healing alongside his deputy handler.
The incident unfolded just before 12:30 a.m. Saturday when the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit team joined Escondido Police Department officers responding to an ongoing burglary at a local business. The suspect, Eric Rodriguez, 35, was armed with a large stick and threw objects at responding officers, authorities said. Police attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Rodriguez ignored repeated warnings and refused to comply with commands.
Officers then deployed Nike to subdue Rodriguez. The suspect responded by stabbing the dog several times in the face before deputies moved in and arrested him.
Rodriguez was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on multiple charges including injuring a working dog, resisting arrest, second-degree burglary, and property vandalism. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest and Nike’s condition through a social media post that praised the wounded animal’s resilience.
“He’s a tough pup with a passion for his work,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote. “Nike, who has been a Sheriff’s K-9 for almost two years, is now healing at home with his deputy handler. We are hopeful Nike will make a full recovery.”
The emergency treatment took place at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of North County in San Marcos, where Nike received stitches for his facial wounds. The speed of his release from veterinary care surprised some observers given the severity of the attack described by authorities.
Working dogs in California receive legal protections that elevate charges against those who injure them. The specific charge of injuring a working dog that Rodriguez faces carries penalties beyond standard animal cruelty statutes, reflecting the role K-9s play in law enforcement operations.
Nike had served nearly two years with the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit at the time of the attack. Belgian Malinois are frequently selected for police work due to their high drive, agility, and strong bite grip, though their physical commitment to apprehension sometimes exposes them to violent resistance from suspects.
The Escondido business burglary that prompted the police response resulted in property damage in addition to the alleged theft. Rodriguez’s charges include vandalism related to damage at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office indicated that Nike’s recovery will be monitored closely, with his return to duty dependent on veterinary clearance and healing progress.