Suspect allegedly assaults Sandy Springs K9 with brass knuckles

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - A Sandy Springs K-9 is recovering after officers say he was badly beaten by a suspect during an arrest on Monday.

Authorities said K-9 Officer "Rock" helped apprehend car burglary suspect Jonathan Wimbs, 25, but when Rock grabbed Wimbs by the arm, the man repeatedly punched him with spiked brass knuckles. 

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Once officers completed the arrest, they rushed Rock to an emergency veterinarian, which gave the dog four stitches. 

The 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, which joined the force in 2009, is back on the job, but only in a limited role. 

"It's very hard to hold these dogs down.  He's doing well," said Rock's handler, Officer Micheal Dewald.  "He's ready to go to work, but I'm just giving him some time to kind of heal up." 

Wimbs now faces multiple felonies, including intentionally causing injury to a police dog, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and gang charges.  Officers also arrested Aron Davis, 24, and an unidentified juvenile.