An Ohio mayor hoping to participate in a police K-9 demonstration last week got a little more than he bargained for after learning firsthand what a takedown felt like, breaking five ribs in the process.

During a ceremony to highlight the new K9 training centre, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker volunteered to wear a bite suit and take on Mekel, a Mansfield Police K9 with a lot of attitude.







While the mayor is no stranger to bite training (and has volunteered before), he soon realized that Mekel was a different beast.

“This dog had a lot of traction and he was coming towards me,” he said. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh what did I agree to do this time?’ When he hit me it was all over.”

“It was panic,” he said. “It was panic because he hit me- I mean he hit me like a Mack truck- and just knocked me back, and knocked me down. As soon as that happened, I felt the ribs or something give and I was panicking to get back up.”

Officers quickly rushed to the mayor’s side and arranged transport to hospital.

According to FOX 8, City Safety Service Director Lori Cope and Mayor Theaker note that this is what Mekel is trained for, and that both the K9 and handler did exactly what they were supposed to do.







While Theaker suffers from broken ribs and a bruised pride, there is no doubt that he is impressed with Mekel.

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