Crime’s a Pain for Dutiful Police Dog

Every dog has its day, but Wednesday wasn’t Conny’s.

Conny and his partner, Officer Michael Fleet, usually start their day together at the Santa Ana Police Department, but Wednesday began at an animal hospital. Fleet was visiting his canine partner, who was injured in the line of duty Tuesday night.

The 7-year-old schutund German shepherd was allegedly beaten with a pipe by Arturo Vega Beltran, whom police are investigating in connection with a $500 robbery at Maria’s Clothing Store at 3839 West 1st St., Lt. Bob Chavez said.

Conny, the first dog injured in the seven-year history of the Santa Ana department’s canine unit, was reported in stable condition Wednesday afternoon at Grand Avenue Pet Hospital. He suffered a concussion, cuts, bruises and possibly a broken nose.

Fleet, who has worked on the force 16 years, never had a partner until Conny came along.

“I’ve wanted a dog since the program started,” he said. “I would never want to do anything else. Until the day I retire I want to have a dog with me.”

Fleet and Conny have been partners for five months, both on the job and at home. Conny, who lives in Westminster with Fleet and his wife, Debbie, is like a part of the family, Fleet said.

“It’s great. He’s a partner at work and a friend at home,” Fleet said. “He goes home with me every night and sleeps right next to my bed.”

Fleet said his wife enjoys “just petting and cuddling him.”

But Tuesday night was not a time for cuddling.

Answering a radio call about 7:10 p.m., Fleet and Conny went to an abandoned house in the 200 block of North Figueroa Street where suspects in the robbery of Maria’s Clothing Store were believed to be hiding, Chavez said.

After officers warned anyone inside the house to come out and there was no response, they sent Conny inside.

Shortly after Conny entered, police heard a scuffle between the dog and someone and then an officer heard a man say in Spanish, “he’s dead,” Chavez said.

Police called again for anyone inside to come out. A man then came out running and was detained, Chavez said. Conny remained inside for a few minutes and then came staggering out.

Fleet said: “When I saw him come out of the house, I was relieved he was hurt and not killed, if that’s understandable.”

A special weapons and tactical unit was then called to the scene because police believed a suspect might still be inside, Chavez said. A SWAT team member found no one inside but did find a steel pipe with blood and hair on it. Police believe the suspect hit Conny with the pipe.

Beltran was arrested on suspicion of felonious assault with intent to cause bodily harm to a dog under direct supervision of a police officer in the discharge of his duties, Chavez said. After being treated at Western Medical Center for a dog bite to his left calf, Beltran was taken to Orange County Jail.

If convicted, he could face 16 months to three years in state prison, up to one year in County Jail, a fine up to $2,000 or both a fine and imprisonment.

Fleet said he took Conny straight to the hospital about 8:30 p.m. and stayed with him until about midnight when the doctors sedated the dog.

Wednesday morning Fleet found Conny feeling better and even somewhat playful. While Fleet was holding Conny, he seemed ready to jump down and pick a fight with another dog, Jill, who was wandering by.

Conny was expected to be released from the hospital by today. Fleet said Conny will rest at home for three or four days and be back at work next week.

“I’m very relieved he’s OK,” Fleet said. “I miss him at home.”