EDMONTON – A man faces a host of charges, including cruelty to an animal, after an Edmonton Police Service dog was stabbed and killed during a foot chase.

Police say the dog, named Quanto, and his handler were deployed to chase down a suspected car thief who had fled the scene of a crash.

As the dog was trying to take the suspect down he was stabbed repeatedly and died at the emergency veterinary clinic.

Paul Joseph Vukmavich is also charged with possession of stolen property, dangerous driving and resisting arrest.

Police say the 27-year-old is also wanted in Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, Ont., on armed robbery charges.

Troy Carriere, acting staff-sergeant of the Edmonton police canine unit, says his officers would like to see police animals be given special consideration in the Criminal Code.