Brave Boy K9 Barrett Looking Good After Suffering Attack

MONTVILLE, CT —Doing his job, Montville Police Department K9 Barrett had gotten a hold of a fleeing, and armed, suspect. But once Barrett had him, the man attacked the dog, police said, punching him and "gouging" his eyes.

It was well before dawn on Sunday when first responders arrived at a single-car crash scene near the intersection of Routes 12 and 2A in Preston. It's reported they soon realized the driver, Presley Almanzar-DeJesus of Norwalk, was armed. The 25-year-old started to leave, heading into the woods.

Soon, Montville K9 police officer Daniel Witts got there with Barrett. Police said Almanzar-DeJesus pointed a gun at Witts and fled, with Barrett following.

Once the K9 had the man by the leg, it was reported, Almanzar-DeJesus started punching Barrett and gouged his eyes.

Almanzar-DeJesus, who was tased before being taken into police custody, state police said, had guns in his car reported stolen out of Bridgeport.

Among the myriad criminal charges against Almanzar-DeJesus, he's also facing cruelty to animals and assault on a public safety officer.

A little over a week later, Barrett is OK. And here's the video to prove it.

Barrett's handler officer Witts, is Montville’s first K9 patrol officer. Barrett joined the force in the summer of 2018. Then 19 months old, the purebred German Shepherd was trained and certified in tracking, evidence recovery, building search, apprehension, and handler protection.

Good boy, Barrett.