A police dog is out of surgery and recovering after being stabbed in South Vancouver just two weeks before his retirement.  

Police say the dog, named Teak, was stabbed in the neck after an attempted robbery at the Esso gas station at Fraser Street and Marine Drive shortly before 7:30 p.m.

A K-9 unit was called to the scene to track down the suspect, who fled. A 20-year-old man was found near Fraser Street and East 52nd Avenue soon after.

When police tried to arrest the suspect, he allegedly slashed the dog with a knife. The man was arrested at the scene and the animal was rushed to an emergency clinic for treatment.

Police say there were no apparent complications from the surgery, but the dog will remain in clinic overnight for observations.

This is not the first time Teak has been injured on duty. In November last year, the dog was given a meritorious service award for his work in a similar incident that left him with multiple hits to the head and body.

According to Sgt. Scott Hogg, who is in charge of the dog squad, the stabbing will mean a slightly early retirement for Teak.

“They were coming to the end of their tenure in a couple of weeks actually, so this will be the retirement for the dog unfortunately,” said Hogg, who assured he will be looked after in retirement.

In B.C.’s new Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, assaulting a police dog can lead to two years in prison or a maximum fine of $75,000.

The suspect, a Vancouver resident, faces robbery, weapons and assault charges.

With files by CTV British Columbia’s Nafeesa Karim