Manatee County K9 deputy bites teacher in school's drop-off area

PALMETTO (FOX 13) - A school teacher in Manatee County had to go to the hospital after being bit by a sheriff deputy's K-9.  The deputy was dropping his son off at school when it happened.

Randy Warren, with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, says around 8 Wednesday morning, a deputy was in his marked cruiser, on his way to work, when he pulled into the car lane to drop his son off at Imagine School in Palmetto.

A teacher opened the back door of the cruiser to let out the child. That's when the K9 jumped out and bit the teacher.

According to the deputy, the teacher accidentally released the dog before realizing what was happening.

The teacher is okay, but had two minor puncture wounds to the abdomen and had to go to the hospital as a precaution.

“Certainly this was very accidental, and we are glad the deputy was able to call the dog and that the injury was not bad,” Warren said.

This deputy could be in trouble because, according to department policy, having a child in a cruiser is not allowed.

“We have very clear policies when it comes to our marked units, and there are exceptions when you go through the right chain of command. It doesn’t appear that happened,” Warren said. 

The officer may be disciplined depending on the outcome of an internal investigation.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the name of the deputy or teacher involved.