Man Who Led Police on Chase That Proved Fatal to a Wethersfield Police Dog Arrested in Hartford

WETHERSFIELD, CT — A kidnapping suspect who led police on a chase that fatally injured a police dog was arrested on Tuesday after being found by police in a dumpster in Hartford, authorities said.

Chauncy Lamont Smith, 20, of Hartford, has been charged by Wethersfield police with interfering and violating a protective order, authorities said.

He is not facing charges on the death of police dog Thor, because of the open-ended circumstances, police said.

A week ago Monday, Wethersfield officers were called to a motel on the Silas Deane highway for the reported kidnapping of a woman out of Hartford, police said. Police were told that a woman was being held against her will.

As the officers approached the motel, someone fled on foot and a chase ensued into a wooded area, police said. Police said they were told the suspect was armed, and according to protocol, Thor was released the officers spotted the suspect.

Shortly after, the officers lost sight of both Thor and the suspect but a resident called then called in to say the suspect was spotted in a back yard, police said. The resident did not see Thor, police said. The suspect was arrested, and officers began looking for Thor, police said.

State troopers located Thor, who appeared to be badly injured with bleeding cuts from the forest branches and brambles, police said. He was immediately transported to a Middletown Animal Hospital.
Veterinarians said Thor was bleeding internally in addition to the surface cuts, police said.

Thor underwent blood transfusions and seemed to be getting better, police said.

The following night — Tuesday — his partner, Officer Nuno Martins, went to visit his partner and Thor stood up with excitement when he saw Martins.

Thor then collapsed and died instantly, police said. Veterinarians said it was caused by a blood clot.

Smith has been charged in Hartford with kidnapping and domestic violence crimes.

He was being held Tuesday on a $100,000 bond.

A a memorial service has been planned for Dec. 8 to honor Thor’s two years of service, police said.

It is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wethersfield Communite Center, 30 Greenfield St.

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