(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Bryant, the suspect involved in the incident in which K9 Roam was stabbed, made his first appearance in court on Monday, Oct. 27. His next appearance is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3.
Court proceedings
Bryant, who is a service member assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, is facing several charges including, Burglary, Armed with Explosives/Weapon, Violent Crime – Used Weapon, Burglary of Dwelling, Cruelty to Animals- Aggravated, Cruelty to Law Enforcement Animal – Aggravated, Cruelty to Service/Law Enforcement Animal, Failure to Leave Premises with Weapon, Obstructing a Peace Officer, Obstructing Law Enforcement Animal, and Tampering. His bond is set for $500,000.
During Bryant’s first appearance, a motion to withdraw was filed by the Public Defender’s Office. The judge accepted and set Bryant’s next appearance for Nov. 3 for the appointment of alternate defense counsel, according to the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
On Oct. 15, CSPD was reportedly responding to a domestic violence protection order violation involving 37-year-old Bryant. After multiple failed attempts to get Bryant to surrender, K9 Roam was deployed, and Bryant allegedly stabbed Roam at least three times. Bryant was taken into custody after the use of a chemical irritant and a taser, according to CSPD.
Roam was taken to Animal ER Care in Colorado Springs, where he was stabilized before he was taken into emergency surgery. After several hours of surgery that included the amputation of his left hind leg, Roam made steady improvement over the next couple of days and was able to go home with his handler on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Roam’s continued recovery
Recently, Roam has reportedly faced a little setback. On Sunday, Oct. 26, Roam’s abdominal drain came out because he had a little infection in the area where his leg was amputated. To stop the infection, the doctor had to cut out some of the tissue and clean out the wound. Currently, doctors are waiting for culture results for more information.
Roam’s handler reports that continued prayers are appreciated, but that people shouldn’t worry, as Roam is still a happy boy and has been getting plenty of rest.