A Henry County Sheriff’s Office K-9 was stabbed multiple times Monday while officers were apprehending a woman following a hit-and-run crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
K-9 Zajo (pronounced Zao) suffered a puncture wound near his head and eye and lacerations to his face. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, and he was taken for veterinary treatment.
Zajo “is going to be fine and is expected to make a full recovery,” Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said Tuesday morning. He added that all K-9s in the Henry County Sheriff’s Office are equipped with appropriate safety equipment, including ballistic vests.
Taran Irene Maddy, 43, of Rocky Mount, was taken into custody in connection with the incident and charged with assault on law enforcement, injuring a police animal and obstruction of justice.
The incident began at approximately 2:35 p.m. Sept. 28, when the Henry County Sheriff’s Office assisted Virginia State Police following a hit-and-run crash in Henry County.
According to the sheriff’s office, a witness called 911 after the crash and provided information about a suspect who allegedly had fled the scene on foot. The information helped law enforcement track the suspect to a wooded area.
Virginia State Police troopers and Henry County sheriff’s deputies responded and located an adult woman believed to have been involved in the crash.
According to the sheriff’s office, officers repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation and obtain compliance. During the encounter, the woman allegedly produced an edged weapon believed to be a box cutter or razor-style knife, and threatened officers.
The sheriff’s office alleged the woman refused commands, and officers deployed less-lethal impact munitions to gain compliance.
When those efforts were unsuccessful, K-9 Zajo was deployed to assist officers in taking the woman into custody.
During the apprehension, the woman allegedly stabbed Zajo multiple times, according to the sheriff’s office.
Maddy was transported to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment of injuries sustained from the less-lethal impact munitions and K-9 bites.
Davis commended the Virginia State Police troopers and Henry County sheriff’s deputies involved in the incident for their efforts to safely resolve the situation.
“Our deputies and the Virginia State Police made every effort to de-escalate this situation and gain compliance before the K-9 was deployed,” Sheriff Davis said. “Unfortunately, the suspect chose to threaten law enforcement and injured one of our K-9s. I am thankful for the professionalism displayed by everyone involved and for the assistance of the witness who quickly contacted 911 and provided valuable information.”
Davis also thanked the other first responders involved, including EMS crews and the volunteers who help staff them.
The Virginia State Police is the primary investigating agency for the hit-and-run crash. Additional information about the crash and any related charges will be released by the state police.
