Man Charged in Connection With Kidnapping, But Not Dog's Death

Wethersfield police have arrested a man who is accused of beating his girlfriend and holding her against her will at a motel, but they have not filed charges in connection with the death of a police dog.

Officers responded to Motel 6, at 1341 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield, at 2:46 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 after receiving a report that a man was holding his girlfriend against her will, according to police.

Police identified 20-year-old Chauncey Smith, of Hartford, as the suspect and said there was a protective order protecting the victim from him. 

When Smith saw the officers, he ran and Wethersfield Police Officer Nuno Martins and his police K9 Thor went after him, police said.

During the search, Thor got separated from Officer Martins and he was found injured around two hours later.

Thor was brought to an area veterinarian, but collapsed and died shortly after arriving at the vet, and an ultrasound indicated his injury was related to the search, police said. 

Hartford police found Smith in a large trash bin and arrested him on Monday. 

Wethersfield police charged him with interfering with police and violation of a protective order and held him overnight on a $100,000 court-imposed bond.

He has not been charged in connection with the death of Thor and that part of the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Police will hold a memorial for Thor and his two years of service to the community. It will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wethersfield Community Center, at 30 Greenfield St. in Wethersfield.

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