An armed suspect bit off part of a police dog’s ear during an arrest in California, authorities said. The incident took place in Wilmington, a neighborhood in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, where a SWAT team was called to arrest a wanted and "dangerous" felon, according to a Facebook post by the Redondo Beach Police Department earlier this week. The post explained that the suspect was armed and had barricaded himself inside a residence, refusing to surrender. During the operation, a police dog named Wouter was deployed to assist officers. However, during the apprehension, the suspect bit Wouter and tore off a portion of his ear. Despite the injury, Wouter continued to help officers apprehend the suspect, who was not identified in the report. After the arrest, Wouter was taken to ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital for treatment. The police department said he is now taking a much-needed break to recover. In a heartfelt message, the department wrote, "Wishing our bestest boy a speedy recovery, and want him to get all the scratchies and treats." They also praised the Redondo Beach K9 Team for their "incredible work" during the operation. The Facebook post included photos showing Wouter with a bloodied, injured ear and later wearing a large plastic cone to prevent him from licking the wound. The images highlighted the severity of the injury and the dog’s recovery process. The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by police dogs in high-stress situations, as they often play a crucial role in dangerous operations. Police departments across the country rely on K9 units for tasks such as tracking suspects, detecting drugs, and providing support during arrests. These dogs are trained for a variety of roles and are often considered integral members of the law enforcement team. The Redondo Beach Police Department’s post not only shared details about the incident but also emphasized their deep bond with Wouter, calling him "our bestest boy." The department’s message reflected both the professional and personal aspects of working with K9 units.