A German shepherd was used by police during the arrest of a man who was attempting to flee, according to Whitehorse RCMP.

The suspect was bitten by the dog, and was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital for treatment.

“There was a certain level of force which was used in relation to this incident; however, it is consistent with RCMP training and the Criminal Code of Canada,” Whitehorse RCMP Insp. Archie Thompson said in an email Monday.

At 11:21 p.m. last Wednesday, Whitehorse RCMP determined that a woman was being held in a vehicle against her will and that she was in distress.

The vehicle was heading toward Whitehorse from the Carcross area. After checking the male suspect’s criminal record, police determined he may have firearms with him.

Whitehorse officers and two Carcross RCMP officers intercepted the suspect and his vehicle near the Annie Lake Road.

They attempted to conduct a roadside stop, but the suspect fled, speeding off toward Two Horse Creek Road. Police located the vehicle on a dead-end road.

Given the potential for harm to the victim, the officers called Police Dog Services’ Cpl. Cameron Long for assistance. 

“Once on scene, Cpl. Long and his dog Crash assisted with the arrest of the accused who, after refusing to show his hands, was forcibly removed from his vehicle,” Thompson said.

He said the woman in the car was injured and taken to Whitehorse General, where she was treated and released.

The incident didn’t involve a high-speed chase, but rather police looked for the vehicle, found it and then the driver was “totally unco-operative, with the presence of firearms a real possibility,” Thompson said.

Jeremiah Moses, 35, of Whitehorse has been charged with forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm, resisting arrest, attempting to evade police, the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and two breaches of a probation order.

Moses was not granted bail.

He was scheduled to appear in court this afternoon.