Police dog fatally shot while pursuing armed felon; standoff continues

A Riverside County Sheriff’s Department police dog was fatally shot Wednesday while pursuing a person who remains barricaded inside a Hemet residence, authorities said.

The dog, named Sultan, was believed to have been shot by an armed felon whom it was pursuing near the intersection of San Jacinto Street and Mayberry Avenue, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The pursuit began about 2:30 p.m., when deputies were first called to the neighborhood.

About 10 p.m., the person remained barricaded inside a home near the intersection of San Jacinto Street and Clark Drive, said department spokesman Deputy Albert Martinez. No hostages were being held inside the residence.

A SWAT team and a crisis negotiator were at the scene in an attempt to persuade the barricaded person to exit the home, Martinez said.

The death of Sultan prompted an outpouring of support on social media.

Sultan was a Belgian Malinois and German shepherd mix from Slovakia. He was trained to apprehend suspects, according to the San Jacinto Police Department, which is staffed by county sheriff’s deputies.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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