Police dog killed in Calif. standoff; suspect shot dead

SAN JACINTO, Calif. - Sheriff's deputies fatally shot a man they believe killed a police dog during a standoff at a Southern California home.

According to CBS Los Angeles, the suspect, who has only been identified as a wanted felon, had barricaded himself on Wednesday afternoon in a house in San Jacinto.

Police reportedly called a K-9 handler and his partner, a Shepherd mix named Sultan, to assist with the standoff. The dog was sent into a crawl space to determine if the suspect was hiding there and moments later emerged with an injury to his neck, Dep. Albert Martinez said in a statement.

According to the station, Sultan was immediately taken to a veterinarian hospital where he died.

A SWAT team was reportedly called in to help get the suspect out of the crawl space and after they deployed tear gas, he emerged with a handgun hours later and deputies began shooting. The suspect died at the scene.

No officers were injured, according to CBS Los Angeles.

The dog had been with the K-9 patrol since November.