Man Arrested in Killing of Police Dog
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HUNTINGTON BEACH — A man who led police on a chase through two cities was arrested Sunday for allegedly stabbing a police dog to death at the end of the pursuit, authorities said.
Nick Spagnolla, 38, of Pennsylvania was arrested on suspicion of evading police and killing the dog, Huntington Beach Police Lt. Jack Reinholtz said.
The incident began about 5:15 p.m. when Officer Jim Weaver attempted to stop Spagnolla for a traffic violation, Reinholtz said.
“As (Weaver) approached the suspect’s car, the suspect sped away,” Reinholtz said. Weaver pursued Spagnolla into Seal Beach, where a patrol car from that city’s Police Department joined the chase.
Spagnolla was caught in heavy traffic at the intersection of Seal Beach and Westminster boulevards, where he jumped out of his car, Reinholtz said.
At that point, Weaver released his canine partner, Kim, to track down the fleeing man.
The dog caught the suspect, who produced a four-inch knife and repeatedly stabbed the dog, Reinholtz said.
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