Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said a report came in at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday that Dustin Smith, 20, was reportedly at the Windsor Heights Apartment Complex in Randolph after a prescription drug theft in West Gardiner.
An inquiry revealed that Smith had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating after suspension and had three years of probation pending for aggravated assault. Smith had already served two years in a correctional facility on that charge.
Cpl. G.J. Neagle and his K9, Draco, pursued Smith and found him crouching behind a set of steps at the Windsor Height Apartment Complex. Liberty said Smith pulled out a 6-inch hunting knife and threatened to stab deputies. He was held at gunpoint, but deputies were concerned about firing shots in the residential area.
Draco was sent in chase and engaged Smith, who Liberty said stabbed the dog. Draco had a several inches long stab wound on the base of his left ear, just missing his wind pipe.
Cpl. Neagle took Draco to the Emergency Animal Clinic in Lewiston for emergency surgery. Draco has numerous internal stitches and seven external staples. Cpl. Neagle said he's expected to make a full recovery.
Smith, meanwhile, was able to barricade himself inside an apartment. The Maine State Police tactical team arrived to negotiate with Smith. Liberty said Smith released a woman and young child at 9:00 p.m.
A search warrant was approved at 10:15 p.m. The standoff ended around 10:40 p.m., according to dispatchers.
(WMTW - Oct 11, 2012)
