Cop dog bites Willowbrook cop

A Willowbrook police sergeant was recovering from surgery Wednesday after being bitten by a police dog that apparently confused him for a suspect, authorities said.

The dog named Icha bit Sgt. Arthur Svehla in the left arm during a chase near the 6000 block of Clarendon Hills Road shortly after 10 p.m., said Police Chief Mark Shelton.

The sergeant, along with the K-9's handler and several other officers, were pursuing three men in connection with an earlier robbery.

Shelton said the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois apparently mistook Svehla for a suspect.

“(The sergeant) was pursuing the suspects but had proceeded in front of the other officers in an attempt to come around and cut off the suspects” when the dog bit him, Shelton said.

Contrary to earlier reports from other authorities, the sergeant did not suffer a severed tendon, according to the chief.

He said Svehla, a veteran with more than 25 years at the department, required surgery but the injury was not life-threatening.

Shelton said Icha has been with the department about five years and “will be able to go back to work immediately.” He said there were no prior problems with the dog. “She basically did exactly what she was trained to do,” he said.

Hinsdale residents Paul Lamoureux, 19, of the 600 block of South Bodin Street, and Marshall Livingston, 20, of the 400 block of North Vine Street, were charged with resisting a peace officer and fleeing or eluding. Livingston also was charged with battery.

DuPage County Judge Michael Wolfe on Wednesday ordered Livingston held on $35,000 bail and Lamoureux on $50,000 bail. Police were still seeking a third suspect.

Shelton said the chase took place after a man reported that several men struck him and took his wallet and cellphone. Officers located the suspects nearby, he said.

Svehla could not be reached for comment.