Shooting suspect enters plea in police dog stabbing

Stanton – A drive-by shooting suspect who authorities say stabbed and wounded a Michigan State Police dog in August has pleaded guilty in the case.

Jose Perez Jr., 33, of Grand Rapids entered pleas Wednesday in Montcalm County’s Circuit Court in Stanton to firing a gun at a building and causing serious injury to a police dog. He’s awaiting sentencing.

The German shepherd named Bolt was stabbed in the neck when chasing two suspects following a drive-by shooting in Reynolds Township, about 140 miles northwest of Detroit. Bolt was treated afterward at an animal hospital. The dog lives with Trooper David Cardenas, a canine handler.

The other suspect, 29-year-old Victoria Groth of Grand Rapids, previously pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing a police officer.