HUNTINGTON BEACH : Suspect in Dog’s Death Is Arraigned
A Harrisburg, Pa., man pleaded innocent Monday to stabbing a Huntington Beach police dog to death in what began as a routine traffic stop last week.
Nick Spagnolo, 37, was arraigned on felony charges of killing a police dog, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and evading a police officer, Deputy Dist. Atty. Aimee M. Libeu said. A bail hearing will be held Wednesday, she said.
Police said Spagnolo stabbed the dog, Kim, on May 26 in the chest, neck and paw with a four-inch knife after the dog chased and tackled him. Police said Spagnolo fled after being stopped for having expired registration tags.
Spagnolo also was charged with misdemeanor hit and run, exhibiting a weapon and obstruction of justice, Libeu said.
He was held last week at an Orange County Jail ward at Western Medical Center-Anaheim for treatment of injuries suffered during the pursuit, including dog bites and a gash in his thigh. He is now in custody at the Orange County Jail.
Kim was the city’s first police dog to be killed in the line of duty.
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