Police dog Deny dies in explosion operation in Oviedo
A German Shepherd belonging to Spain's National Police died alongside his handler during the intervention following an explosion in a residential block in Oviedo. An explosives disposal specialist suffered amputation of a leg.
Police dog Deny dies in Oviedo operation
The explosion recorded on Tuesday in the Villafría neighbourhood of Oviedo caused the death of Deny, a three-year-old German Shepherd belonging to the National Police's Special Canine Handlers Unit. The animal was taking part in the operation deployed following a shooting at a social housing block alongside his handler, Deputy Inspector Juan José, who also died during the intervention.
According to Libertad Digital, the events occurred shortly after eight in the morning when emergency services received a report of an alleged neighbourhood dispute involving gunshots on Purita de la Riva street. Neighbours alerted the emergency services on 112 after hearing "three shots" and an explosion in the vicinity of the building.
Upon arrival at the scene, police officers found a 17-year-old girl wounded by gunshots. The minor was taken to the Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA) and is out of danger. During the intervention, officers located an abandoned backpack on the landing, allegedly left by the person responsible for the shooting.
Given suspicion that the backpack contained an explosive device, personnel from the Canine Handlers unit and the TEDAX (Specialised Teams in Explosives Deactivation) were mobilised. National Police spokesman Pedro Aguado explained that officers decided to move the backpack outside the building to protect residents. However, the device detonated whilst it was being handled.
The explosion caused the death of Deputy Inspector Juan José and left a TEDAX officer seriously injured. According to the police union Jupol, the specialist suffered amputation of a leg as a result of the detonation. The injured officer was taken to HUCA, where he was undergoing surgery.
The National Police confirmed Deny's death through their official account on X, expressing regret at the death of "police dog Deny, a three-year-old German Shepherd who was operating alongside his handler Juan José". The police force extended their "deepest condolences to those who make up the Special Canine Handlers Unit" following the operation that resulted in two deaths and one seriously injured person.
Source: Libertad Digital