A Toronto police dog is recovering after being injured by a machete-wielding man as police executed a search warrant in Willowdale Monday.
It happened at a home in the Senlac Road and Churchill Avenue area.
According to police a man armed with a machete ran from the house while police were executing their warrant.
After refusing police orders to drop the weapon, he was engaged by Lonca, a police dog who is almost two years old.
The man chopped at the dog, injuring the animal’s neck. The suspect was eventually subdued and arrested by officers.
Lonca was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital following the incident. He continues to recover after receiving several stitches to close wounds, police said.
"He is expected to be back to work in about a week," police said in a tweet Tuesday afternoon.
At the same time, officers were also executing a search warrant in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood.
Police said both warrants pertain to an investigation into illegal gaming in 31 Division.
A large quantity of cash and other evidence was seized as a result of the search warrant in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood.
Three suspects were arrested and charged as a result of investigation.
Thi Tran, 52, is charged with keeping a common gaming or betting house, possession of the proceeds of crime, and lottery scheme.
His arrest was made in connection with the search warrant executed in the Jane and Finch neighbourhood.
Fifty-six-year-old Phuoc Dang is charged with injuring/wounding an animal, weapons dangerous, and possession of the proceeds of crime.
Minh Pho, 55, is charged with possession of the proceeds of crime.
Both Pho and Dang were arrested as a result of the Willowdale search warrant.
All three suspects appeared in court Tuesday morning.
