An officer and his police dog were injured Tuesday breaking up a fight among four women on a Manhattan subway platform, according to officials.
Police Officer Vincent Tieniber sprained his wrist while trying to handcuff one of the women, who also kicked the dog's mouth, cracking two of its teeth and chipping two others, according to police.
The dog, Bear, is a member of the NYPD Transit Bureau’s K-9 Unit. The 6-year-old German Shepherd also suffered cuts to his tongue and a scuffed snout, authorities said.
The women involved in the dispute on the southbound platform of the 4 train at 59th Street ranged in age from 19 to 31. Police said one of the women was being choked by another, and the two others pushed an officer who tried to break them up.
“Bear kept the woman’s foot in his mouth and held on until I could handcuff her,” said Tieniber.
The dog's teeth didn't break through the woman's shoe.
Bear will have two teeth capped and two that are chipped filed on Wednesday, and he is expected to return to duty the same day.
"These dogs are pretty tough," said Tieniber. "They don't really complain about the pain, but you can tell when they're hurt."
The dog’s attacker was charged with injuring a police animal. Other charges against the women included disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
