COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Colorado Springs police K-9 Roam is recovering after being stabbed multiple times while helping officers arrest a suspect earlier this week.
The ministry says the attack occurred on Wednesday morning when officers attempted to arrest a barricaded suspect. Roam was seriously injured in the confrontation and underwent several hours of surgery, including an operation to amputate his left hind leg.
Despite the severity of his injuries, police say Rohm is expected to make a full recovery.
“He’s lucky to be alive,” a K-9 training expert told FOX31, adding that the incident renewed calls for stronger protection and equipment for police dogs — including vests for active duty K-9s.
Romm’s story has attracted an outpouring of support online, with hundreds of community members leaving comments on the department’s social media pages expressing concern about 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 equipment to law enforcement dogs across the country, confirmed that Roam had access to a loaned vest before the incident.
Although he was not eligible for a custom vest, Vested Interest told FOX31 that a loaner was available for Roam to use that belonged to a retired K-9.
The police department says Rohm will be released from the veterinary hospital Saturday morning and his handler will accompany him home. 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.
The police expressed their thanks to the Animal ER Care team for saving Roam’s life.
“Their exceptional skills and compassion made a huge difference,” the department said in a statement.