The man who pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including charges stemming from the stabbing death of an Edmonton Police Service dog, was handed his sentence Friday.
Paul Joseph Vukmanich, 27, was sentenced to serve 26 months behind bars, after pleading guilty to a total of six charges earlier in the week.
Vukmanich’s sentence came after Friday’s proceedings were delayed, due to an apparent shortage of sheriffs.
Sentencing was initially delayed for about 45 minutes, because sheriffs had not brought Vukmanich to the courtroom, and after that time, the judge rescheduled sentencing to take place in the afternoon.
On Friday morning, Judge Larry Anderson blasted the Alberta Solicitor General’s office, saying the solicitor general was incapable of providing adequate resources.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, February 25, Vukmanich entered guilty pleas for charges including animal cruelty and flight from police.
Back on October 7, Vukmanich was pursued and arrested by police, after officers noticed a stolen plate on the vehicle he was driving.
The EPS K9 unit was called in, Cst. Matthew Williamson and his service dog Quanto responded to the call – the dog was set loose in an attempt to apprehend the suspect.
However, the dog was stabbed, and succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
In addition to Vukmanich’s time behind bars, he was also handed a number of driving and weapons prohibitions, and he’s not allowed to own a pet for 25 years.
With files from The Canadian Press and David Ewasuk
