AUGUSTA – Stabbing a police dog in the neck and leading authorities into a standoff and chase have landed an Augusta man in prison for two years.

Dustin Phillip Smith, 20, received the sentence Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a series of crimes that included stabbing the dog, Draco, on Oct. 10 in Randolph.

At the time, Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said the German shepherd was treated at a clinic in Lewiston and received stitches and staples for a deep stab wound just behind his ear.

Cpl. G.J. Neagle of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s office, who was tracking the suspect and handles Draco, said Thursday that the dog is “back to duty full time.”

Smith was convicted of three counts of terrorizing and one count each of interference with law enforcement dogs, refusing to submit to arrest or detention/refusing to stop, and assault.

He was arrested late Oct. 10 after an hours-long standoff at the Windsor Heights apartment complex. Police had been chasing him because of a report that he had stolen prescription drugs from a home in West Gardiner.

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Police said Smith threatened officers with a 5-inch hunting knife and stabbed Draco as the dog pursued him.

On Wednesday, Smith also was ordered to pay $400 for veterinary expenses for Draco.

Smith’s prison sentence will run concurrently with a probation violation. He was convicted of aggravated assault two years ago.

 


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