Toronto Police K9 Killed During Arrest of Murder Suspect

A Toronto Police Service (TPS) logo is seen at TPS headquarters in Toronto on Aug. 9, 2019. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov

An active duty K9 dog, Bingo, was fatally wounded July 25 as a murder suspect attempted to escape during a Toronto Police Service operation to arrest the man.

Bingo, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, was shot and killed during a search for an armed suspect, police say.

Police entered a Dixon Road apartment building in Toronto at approximately 8 p.m. July 25 to arrest a 44-year-old man suspected of second-degree murder, serious incident unit spokesperson Kristy Denette told reporters. She did not disclose in which homicide the man was a suspect.

After firing at police officers, the suspect fled through a residential neighbourhood before stopping in a backyard on Kingsview Boulevard, Ms. Denette said.

The K9 was employed in the search for the man.

“Bingo was a 2-year-old German Shepherd who joined Police Dog Services in July 2022, where he underwent an intense training course with Sgt. Smith, and graduated in December 2022,” the police said in a news release.

Ms. Denette told reporters the man shot and killed Bingo after which a police officer shot and injured the man. The man was transported to hospital for treatment for a serious injury, where he is under arrest.

Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw offered his condolences to Bingo’s partner and the K9 unit on Twitter and thanked Bingo for his service.

“Bingo, one of our K9s, was killed in the line of duty by gunfire tonight,” Chief Demkiw posted. “Thank you for keeping our members safe and thank you for your service. My deepest condolences to his partner and to all of our TPSK9 unit.”

While speaking at a news conference about an unrelated event Wednesday, Chief Demkiw said that Bingo had assisted with a number of apprehensions during his years of service.

“There’s a unique bond between a police dog handler and their dog,” he said. “They work together for many, many, many weeks in their training, they are bonded from an early age … they become part of their immediate family.”