Cornish Man Allegedly Stabbed a Police K9 During a Standoff

A Cornish man faces a multitude of charges after allegedly damaging his neighbor's property, creating a police standoff, and then stabbing a police dog.

Why Were Deputies First Sent to Cornish?

The York County Sheriff's Office reports Deputies were called to the area of 68 Spur Road in Cornish just before 7:00 Thursday morning for an issue between neighbors. Edward Kalinoski's neighbor told authorities that the 68-year-old had allegedly used a utility tractor to damage his neighbor's home and then allegedly slashed the same person's tires with a large knife. Witnesses said that Kalinoski allegedly had a handgun while doing this damage.

Police initially reported the incident as a landscaping dispute but later learned that it appeared to be unprovoked. When Deputies attempted to make contact with Kalinoski, he was reportedly uncooperative and shut himself into his home. Kalinoski was well-known to police and so they called in the Southern Maine Special Response Team, crisis negotiators, and mental health first responders and set up a perimeter. Officials also got an arrest warrant for Kalinoski for charges including reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal threatening, criminal mischief, and refusal to submit to arrest or detention, and a search warrant for his home.

What Were the Extent of the K9's Injuries?

All efforts to negotiate with Kalinoski were unsuccessful, so the York Police Department canine team Sergeant Jon Rogers and K9 Gunther were sent to try and subdue him in a moment when he appeared to be unarmed. Unfortunately, Kalinoski had a knife and used it to stab Gunther in his rear legs. Gunther was transported to the Maine Veterinary Animal Hospital in Scarborough, where he was treated and released.

How Did the Standoff End?

The standoff lasted nearly 24 hours, during which time police saw Kalinoski with edged and improvised weapons. They deployed chemical munitions to try and force him out of the house. At around 6:30 am, Kalinoski left his home, armed with what was later determined to be a replica firearm, and was taken into custody by members of the tactical team. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.