COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Colorado Springs police K-9 Roam is recovering after being stabbed multiple times while helping officers take a suspect into custody earlier this week.
The department says the attack happened on Wednesday morning as officers attempted to arrest a barricaded suspect. Roam was gravely injured in the encounter and underwent several hours of surgery, including one to amputate his left hind leg.
Despite the severity of his injuries, police say Roam is expected to make a full recovery.
“He’s lucky to be alive,” one K-9 training expert told FOX31, adding that the incident has renewed calls for stronger protections and equipment for police dogs — including vests for active-duty K-9s.
Roam’s story has drawn an outpouring of support online, with hundreds of community members leaving comments on the department’s social media pages expressing both concern for the dog’s age and questions about whether he was wearing a protective vest during the attack.
Many on social media expressed concern about whether K-9 Roam was wearing a protective vest at the time of the attack.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, which provides protective gear for law enforcement dogs nationwide, confirmed Roam did have access to a loaner vest before the incident.
While he was not eligible for a custom vest, Vested Interest told FOX31 a loaner would have been available for Roam to use that had belonged to a retired K-9.
The police department says Roam will be discharged from the veterinary hospital on Saturday morning and escorted home by his handler. Officers and community members are invited to line Fountain Boulevard from Academy Park Loop to Powers Boulevard starting at 11 a.m. to cheer him on.
Police extended thanks to the team at Animal ER Care for saving Roam’s life.
“Their exceptional skill and compassion made all the difference,” the department said in a statement.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
