Police K9 Mistakenly Bites Bystander Amid American Canyon Pursuit: PD

AMERICAN CANYON, CA — The Napa County Sheriff's Office is conducting a follow-up investigation after an American Canyon police dog bit a bystander during an arrest Saturday.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. when American Canyon police arrested 48-year-old James Spencer on suspicion of resisting arrest and evading after he crashed his car on state Highway 29 and Mini Drive, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

"An American Canyon Police K9 was deployed due to Spencer’s noncompliance and the high-risk felony crime that had been committed," Napa County sheriff's Spokesman Henry Wofford said. "Unfortunately, the K9 bypassed Spencer’s car and mistakenly bit a bystander, who was running from the scene."

The K9 bit the bystander, a 19-year-old man from Solano County, on both hands, according to the sheriff's office.

"Although he initially declined medical attention, American Canyon Police convinced him to have a medical evaluation," Wofford said.

The bite victim was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Permanente in Vallejo where doctors determined he had minor injuries. He was discharged from the hospital later that day, Wofford said.

"The bite incident began in the center median of the intersection, where the bystander was soliciting money," Wofford said.

A follow-up investigation regarding the K9 bite is in process, the sheriff's office said Monday.

As for Spencer, he was taken into custody without further incident and booked into Napa County jail.