Maplewood man sentence for stabbing police dog

[DDSBYDAY]

Major, the police dog stabbed during an attempted robbery at a Maplewood truck utilities yard, hasn't adjusted to his forced retirement, his partner said today.

"He barks, sometimes for hours, when I leave for work without him," said Roseville police Officer John Jorgensen.

Jorgensen paid tribute to the German shepherd at the Ramsey County District Court sentencing of Roel Joseph Perez. Jr., 21, the Maplewood man who admitted he stabbed Major during the break-in.

Major, age 9 1/2, lost the use of his back legs as a result of the injury. He gets around with the help of wheels that support his hind end, Jorgensen said.

Perez was sentenced to 120 days in jail; he pleaded guilty to felony attempted theft and to harming a public safety dog, a gross misdemeanor.

He told the court he was sorry for what he did and that he enjoyed dogs "as much as anyone else."

Judge Kathleen Gearin also stayed a sentence of one year and a day, meaning that if Perez does not follow the rules of his four-year probation, he could end up serving the prison time. He must remain law-abiding, abstain from drugs and alcohol and submit to random drug tests, Gearin said.

Perez was taken into custody right after the hearing.

The standing-room-only courtroom was filled with uniforms — including many officers from police agencies throughout the Twin Cities who work with police dogs themselves.

"Obviously, I don't have to worry about security issues here this

afternoon," Gearin quipped as the hearing began.   ( )  NOT!!!!
During his victim-impact statement, Jorgensen said that Major was a dual-purpose dog, trained in both patrol work and narcotics detection.

In their eight years together, Major has found large amounts of drugs, recovered guns tossed away by suspects after violent crimes, and caught many felons, Jorgensen said.

"Because of their selflessness and devotion, we view police dogs as 'officers,' " Jorgensen said. "By no means do I believe that a dog's life should be valued more than a human's, but while preparing my victim statement, I couldn't help but think how much more of a positive impact Major has had on society than the defendant."

Perez has "purposely chosen a life of crime and drug abuse," Jorgensen said.

Major is still living at the Jorgensen home and goes to the University of Minnesota for veterinary therapy three times a week, his partner said.

People from throughout the world sent money — about $23,000 — and good wishes for Major's recovery, Jorgensen said.

Perez and two other men had broken into Truck Utilities at 2370 English St. in Maplewood about 5 a.m. Nov. 12. They were hoping to steal scrap metal, according to co-defendant Ryan Dorner.

When police responded to an alarm triggered by the break-in, they sent Major in to the unlighted area to search for suspects.

Major found Perez and latched onto him with his teeth. Perez tried to shake him off. He then stabbed Major four times with a butterfly knife.

Perez was convicted in Washington County in 2009 of possessing drug paraphernalia. The previous year, he pleaded guilty to drug possession in Carlton County.

Dorner's sentencing is scheduled for March 29. James McBain, 21, of Maplewood will appear for a hearing Thursday.

Emily Gurnon can be reached at 651-228-5522.


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