McALLEN PD K-9 loses eye from stabbing incident

Last week’s reported stabbing of a McAllen police canine (K-9 officer) by a homeless woman, exhibiting delusional symptoms, according to a police press release, has left the dog without the use of his left eye.

One of the responding officers shot the 54-year-old woman — who was wielding a knife — leaving her with a non-threatening wound to her left buttock.

The dog, Mino, is reportedly recovering from his injury at a vet’s clinic in McAllen after receiving critical care in San Antonio.

Mino is a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who has served as a police dog for five years.

The woman arrested, Latonia Wallace, has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault of a police officer, a first-degree felony; one count of interference with a service animal, a second-degree felony; and obstruction of a highway, a Class B misdemeanor.

Her bond has been set at $295,000.

Cops and Dogs

It was back in 1988, and the McAllen PD only had two dog handlers, AKA, two K-9 units.

One morning, one of the K-9 officers looked as though he had been crying. He was definitely upset, and for a street cop, it wasn’t your typical look.

“What’s wrong?”

“They poisoned my dog last night.”

It wasn’t any dog, mind you, but his K-9 partner, with whom he spent more time than his family, considering that the dog also lived with him at his house, and then left with him at the start of each shift.

“Someone just threw some poisoned food over the backyard fence. Who can do such a thing?”

Clearly the officer was distraught.

It was then and there that the thought came to mind — to police officers who work with dogs, the ties that bind are indeed close and connected. So much so, they become like family. But what is the psychology behind it?

According to the United States Police Canine Association, the main factors that create this close bond between human and animal include intense shared experiences, mutual reliance in dangerous situations, constant companionship, and dedicated training that builds deep trust, creating a relationship far beyond that of a typical pet and owner, fostering loyalty, stress relief, and an almost familial connection.

“This combination of shared duty, intense training, constant presence, and physiological benefits creates a profound, loyal, and indispensable partnership, making the K-9 partner a true friend, family member, and defender,” according to the canine association.