NATIONAL CITY : Police Dogs Bites Suspect and Officer

An auto theft suspect and a policeman were both bitten by a police dog during an arrest Monday morning on northbound Interstate 805, San Diego police said.

Officer Carl Nielsen and his canine partner Sascha, assisted by Officer Romeo de los Reyes, stopped the driver of a suspected stolen van near Plaza Boulevard in National City. The driver, Antonio Munguia, 23, who had six passengers in the van, fled from the officers after the side door to the van was opened. He was chased down by Sascha.

Apparently the dog became confused during the arrest and also bit De los Reyes, who suffered four puncture wounds to his left thigh, San Diego police spokesman Bill Robinson said. Munguia suffered at least 16 wounds to his arm, shoulder and back.

“K-9s don’t have the ability to know the difference between a suspect and a good guy,” Robinson said. “Dogs only seek movement. When a dog is sent after a suspect, if an officer is moving . . . the dog may latch onto the officer as well.”

Both De los Reyes and Munguia were treated and released. Munguia was taken to County Jail and held on suspicion of auto theft. None of the passengers were arrested.