A Plymouth Police Department K-9 named "Nico" is dead after the dog attacked its handler and was shot by the officer.

Tuesday morning at around 9:20 a.m. Plymouth officers were dispatched to Court Street for a report of a fleeing suspect. K-9 Officer Keith Larson pulled into a commercial parking lot to prepare Nico, a German shepherd, for the operation. During the interaction, Nico bit Larson. The officer was forced to use his service weapon after several unsuccessful attempts to disengage the dog, according to Police Chief Michael Botieri.

Larson was transported to South Shore Hospital and was treated for injuries to his hands, and is expected to be OK.

Larson has been with the K-9 unit since March 2017, and was specifically assigned to Nico in August 2019. Larson was previously bitten on the hand by Nico back in April. The pair were then sent back to K-9 Academy and re-certified for service in July.

Botieri said Officer Larson is a 17-year veteran of the Plymouth Police Department with an exemplary record. Nico was one of two K-9s serving the department.

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