Va. K-9 Stabbed Multiple Times While Helping State Police Capture Hit-and-Run Suspect

Zajo, a Henry County Sheriff's Office K-9, suffered facial lacerations and a puncture wound while helping Virginia State Police apprehend a hit-and-run suspect who allegedly stabbed the dog with a box cutter.
Source Officer.com Magazine
Sept. 29, 2026
2 min read
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What to Know

  • Zajo, a Henry County Sheriff's Office K-9, was stabbed multiple times while helping Virginia State Police find a hit-and-run suspect in a wooded area.
  • After less-lethal options failed, Zajo was deployed and was injured by the suspect, who allegedly used a box cutter against the dog.
  • Zajo was rushed to a veterinarian with a puncture wound and facial laceration and is expect to recover.
Henry County, VA, Sheriff's Office
Zajo, a Henry County Sheriff's Office K-9

A suspect accused of fleeing a hit-and-run crash allegedly stabbed a Zajo, a Henry County Sheriff's Office K-9, during an arrest attempt Monday, leaving the animal with facial lacerations and a puncture wound.

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A sheriff's office K-9 was stabbed multiple times Monday while helping Virginia State Police find and apprehend a suspect.

Zajo, a Henry County Sheriff's Office K-9, was part of a response assiting state police with an incident investigation, the sheriff's office stated in a social media post. Authorities were trying to find a suspect, later identified as Taran Irene Maddy, in connection with a hit-and-run crash, WSET-TV reports.

Maddy had allegedly fled the crash scene on foot, and information from a witness led police to a wooded area. Once troopers and deputies located Maddy, they tried to take her into custody.

Initially, less-lethal munitions were used to try to subdue Maddy, but they were ineffective. That's when Zajo was deployed.

"During the apprehension, the suspect used a box cutter style knife to injure Deputy Logan Grubbs’ canine partner, Zajo, causing multiple facial lacerations," the sherffi's office stated.

Zajo was rushed to a veterinarian, and the the K-9 is expected to recover, the sheriff's office said. According to WSET, Zajo suffered facial lacerations and a puncture wound near his head and eye.

Maddy was taken to the hospital after she was arrested. She suffered dog bites and injuries caused by the less-lethal munitions. 

Maddy was charged with assault on law enforcement, injure police animal and obstruction of justice.

The hit-and-run incident is under investigation.

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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