MARGATE, Fla. – Coconut Creek police Officer Carl DiBlasi's K-9 partner Renzo recently slipped out of his cruiser and bit a man at a parking lot in Margate.
Renzo had done that before. The Feb. 12 incident would be his last while on duty. The Coconut Creek Police Department was done with the dog.
Recommended Videos
DiBlasi, 53, said he was helping Margate police officers with a traffic stop. They were at the parking lot of a Dunkin' Donuts, 1454 N. State Road 7, in Margate when the attack happened.
Two Margate police officers, Sgt. Brandi Delvecchio and Sgt. Paul Kostick, were there. DiBlasi allowed Renzo to move toward the front seat. Delvecchio was petting Renzo when he suddenly lunged at her.
According to the incident report, the dog "made it half way out of the car window before he could grab it by the harness and pull." DiBlasi "fought" to get control, but he "lost grip on the harness." He also yelled "Fuey" commands, which signal bad behavior and has a "shame on you" tone.
But Renzo -- a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois -- did not obey.
Robert Kenneth Doherty, 37, was standing next to his car. He was reaching for his apron when he heard DiBlasi shouting. He rushed to get back in the car, but Renzo was faster and was able to get a hold of his right calf.
In seconds, Renzo left four bite marks varying from two to four inches in length on his calf and shin. DiBlasi was able to get Renzo off of him and back inside his cage.
Kostick jumped to help Doherty and called for Margate Fire Rescue. Paramedics took him to Northwest Medical Center.
Renzo's victim Nov. 26 was Coconut Creek police Officer Michael Giuttari, as the officers were working on a home invasion case. But although the dog will no longer be on duty with the Coconut Creek Police Department, DiBlasi is not giving up on him and is continuing to live with the dog.
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10
Follow Local10.com reporter on Twitter @MiamiCrime