A police K9 bit and injured a breaking-and-entering suspect during an arrest in Winston-Salem Monday morning, and a video of the attack is circulating on social media, according to officials. Police said they are investigating the attack.

"The Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) is aware of a social media video currently circulating online, which has generated significant public interest and concern," police said Thursday.

The arrest

Officers were called to a break-in at a home on E. Fourth Street just after 11 a.m. According to police, the suspect, identified as Jahmiek Jacobs, ran off and was arrested a short time later on N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. A K9 handler and his K9 assisted in arresting Jacobs.

According to police, the K9 handler only communicates with the K9 in the Czech language.

During the arrest, the handler gave a command to the K9 to return to his side, and the dog followed instruction, police said. A short time later, the K9 bit the suspect.

"Mr. Jacobs was given loud verbal commands by the K9 handler to, 'Get on the ground now,' in English, so he could be taken into custody," police said. "The K9 handler did not give the dog a command to bite Mr. Jacobs."

Police reviewed the situation and believe the K9 "perceived his handler’s non-verbal and verbal commands as an order to engage Mr. Jacobs."

Police said the officer tried to stop the dog from biting Jacobs but couldn't grab him in time.

"The dog bit Mr. Jacobs on his forearm," police said.

Jacobs was arrested and taken to a local hospital, where police said he refused medical treatment. He was charged with housebreaking, larceny and resist, delay and obstruct, and was released on a written promise to appear. 

Video of the attack is circulating on social media. Police responded to the situation by saying:

"The WSPD remains committed to accountability, transparency, and the responsible use of our K9 units. Our police K9s are an extremely valuable tool and have been utilized to find missing persons, locate drugs, and apprehend offenders. While these K9s are valuable assets to our department and undergo intensive and rigorous training, we must also acknowledge when they make a mistake. In this instance, our K9 should not have bitten Mr. Jacobs. We regret this occurred and we are fortunate that Mr. Jacobs only had minor injuries."

The name of the officer involved is being withheld as an internal investigation is underway.