CSPD K9 in critical condition after being stabbed

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 10/15/2025 5:19 p.m.

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — At a press conference on Wednesday, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) provided an update on K9 Roam, who was severely injured during an incident on the northeast side of Colorado Springs.

At the press conference, Police Chief Adrian Vasquez identified the involved suspect as 37-year-old Anthony Bryant. Police were reportedly responding to a domestic violence protection order violation involving Bryant, and after multiple failed attempts to get Bryant to surrender, K9 Roam was deployed. Bryant then allegedly stabbed Roam at least three times.

Watch the full press conference below:

A veterinarian with Animal ER Care who assessed K9 Roam, Dr. Abby Sticker, said he suffered stab wounds to his head, neck, and along his abdomen, down his side and to his left hind leg. Sticker said veterinarians are amputating Roam’s left hind leg due to his injuries.

Bryant was finally arrested after the use of a chemical irritant and a taser, and is facing charges of burglary, obstruction, resisting arrest, and felony aggravated cruelty to a law enforcement animal.

Chief Vasquez thanked the veterinary team at Animal ER Care who are working diligently to save Roam, as well as numerous other law enforcement agencies who responded with their own K9s to offer blood transfusions to save Roam, including the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Police Department, and the Colorado Department of Corrections.

When asked whether K9 Roam was wearing a stab resistant vest, Chief Vasquez explained that law enforcement K9s must be 20 months old to wear a vest because they are still growing. As Roam is only 18 months old, he was two months away from qualifying for a protective vest.

Also at the press conference, 4th Judicial District Attorney (DA) Michael Allen spoke to the charges Bryant may face in connection to this incident, which have changed under Colorado law in recent years after the death of a K9 in Jefferson County in 2023, K9 Graffit. DA Allen said following the death of K9 Graffit, the changes went into effect in 2024 elevating aggravated cruelty to law enforcement animals to a felony charge.

Under the new law, if Roam doesn’t make it, Bryant could face a class 4 felony with prison time, DA Allen said. Allen added that even if Roam survives, Bryant could still face a charge of attempted cruelty to a law enforcement animal, which would still be a felony. The charges will vary depending on the circumstances of the investigation, which is ongoing.

Chief Vasquez asked the community for their prayers for K9 Roam and his handler, and said anyone who would like to help can make donations to the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs.

WEDNESDAY 10/15/2025 4:34 p.m.

A Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) K9 is undergoing emergency surgery after being stabbed multiple times during an incident on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

According to CSPD, officers responded to a domestic violence protection order violation shortly before 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday in the 7400 block of Gorgeted Quail Grove, southeast of Woodmen Road and Black Forest Road. When officers arrived, the suspect barricaded himself inside the home.

Tactical units and a K9 unit responded to try and safely resolve the situation. During their entrance into the home, K9 Roam and his handler encountered the suspect, and K9 Roam was stabbed multiple times. He was immediately taken to a veterinary facility where he is undergoing emergency surgery. Roam is currently in critical condition, CSPD said.

No officers were injured during the incident. A chemical irritant and taser had to be used on the suspect in order to take him into custody.

Due to the severity of K9 Roam injuries, CSPD said the Homicide Unit is leading the investigation into the attempted killing of a police service animal.