Roseville police dog recovering at U vet hospital

A Roseville police dog named Major is recovering at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center after being stabbed four times Friday morning.

The dog is doing well, but remains in critical condition, Roseville Police Chief Rick Mathwig said.

Major was stabbed while responding to an early morning break-in at a Maplewood business.

Major’s condition could improve from critical to stable if a chest tube inserted for his collapsed lung is successfully removed Saturday, Mathwig said. The dog’s condition did not worsen overnight.

Major spent most of Friday afternoon in surgery for a cut to his neck and spinal injuries. The dog’s main issue is hind leg mobility, and he can’t use his legs to stand or walk, Mathwig said.

“Major is alert today, so he came out of anesthesia wonderfully,” Mathwig said. “We don’t know if that is temporary or permanent, it’s too early to tell.”

Mathwig described Major as well-tempered, obedient dog who works well with children.

Mathwig said he hopes Major will someday return to duty, but if he can’t recover from his injuries properly, he will be retired and live with Officer John Jorgensen’s family.

“We have a great department and we have a great K-9 unit of three dogs,” Mathwig said. “Major and John have been the unofficial leaders of our team for the last five or six years. Major has a great nose as far as narcotics goes, a great nose for finding people.”