Edmonton Police said Wednesday that a man was being charged under Quanto’s Law, the first time the new law has been used in Edmonton.
EPS said on Tuesday, August 2, at about 8:15 p.m., an EPS Canine Unit observed a suspicious vehicle speeding in the area of 127 Avenue and 9 Street – officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled, heading southbound on Anthony Henday Drive.
Air 1 started tracking the suspicious vehicle, described as a Dodge Caravan, reports indicated the van was driving erratically in the city, and then in Strathcona County, for more than an hour – at times, it was clocked speeding at about 120 kilometres per hour.
The van drove back into the city, and officers deployed a spike belt downtown, near EPS headquarters, the van stopped in the old Remand Centre parking lot, and the EPS Canine Unit blocked the vehicle from fleeing.
The driver tried to run – but was apprehended by a police service dog a short time later.
Police said the driver had 80 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of $6,300.
It’s alleged the driver assaulted PSD Jagger – the dog sustained non-life threatening injuries in the incident.
“The dog is fine, some scrapes and minor cuts around his face,” Sgt. Adam Segin said. “He won’t miss any time from work.”
Police also recovered a loaded handgun, ammunition, bear spray, a hatchet, and an undisclosed amount of cash from the van.
Ryan James Prystay, 33, is facing a total of 13 charges, including injure or endanger a law enforcement animal, dangerous driving, flight from a peace officer, and a variety of weapon and drug-related charges.
The charge for injuring or endangering a law enforcement animal stems from Quanto’s Law, which came into effect one year ago. It was named after EPS PSD Quanto, who was stabbed do death as he tried to apprehend a suspect in 2013.
Under the law, it is a criminal offence to intentionally harm or kill a service animal. This charge comes with a penalty of up to five years behind bars.
EPS said the accused is known to police.
