Protective vest saves HPD K-9 from fatal stab wounds

Christian Cantu, accused of stabbing a Houston police dog, is charged with a police service animal. Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Christian Cantu, accused of stabbing a Houston police dog, is charged with a police service animal. Photo: Harris County Sheriff's Office Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Protective vest saves HPD K-9 from fatal stab wounds 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

A protective vest apparently saved a Houston police dog that was stabbed eight times by a man resisting arrest, officers said.

Christian Cantu, 20, was arrested March 19 at his home on Houston's north side and was charged with interference with a police service animal.

Police were called to the home at 6:55 p.m., when Cantu's mother told police he was "acting crazy" and trying to kill himself, according to information provided by the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

He also threatened to kill his mother and any police officers who came to the home, said Jeff McShan, spokesman for the district attorney's office.

When officers approached the front door, Cantu began yelling from a bedroom that he was going to kill them. Cantu came to the bedroom door, and officers could see that he had a knife in his right hand.

They ordered him to put it down but he didn't and one officer deployed a stun gun from about 15 feet away, McShan said.

After being hit a second time with a stun gun, Cantu went to the floor, he said.

Officers put handcuffs on him but he tried to get up, and the dog bit him in the leg, McShan said.

Still holding the knife under his body, Cantu pulled it out and stabbed the dog twice, McShan said. When the dog didn't succumb, Cantu stabbed it six more times but was arrested anyway.

After the scene had settled, officers took photos of the dog's slashed protective vest.

"It was apparent that the canine would have sustained mortal injuries, had it not been for the vest," McShan said.

Cantu, who was being held Friday on no bond, is due March 24 in the 263rd State District Court, according to online court records.