A San Diego sheriff’s K-9 was brutally stabbed in the face by a suspected burglar in Escondido Saturday.

The Sheriff’s K-9 Unit team was assisting the Escondido Police Department with an ongoing burglary at a business just before 12:30 a.m.

The suspect, 35-year-old Eric Rodriguez, held a large stick and threw objects at responding Escondido police officers. Cops tried to de-escalate the situation, but Rodriguez ignored all warnings and refused to comply, authorities said.

Officers then deployed the sheriff’s K-9 — a six-year-old Belgian Malinois named Nike — to apprehend the suspect, but Rodriguez responded by mercilessly stabbing Nike several times in the face.

The brave dog sustained five facial lacerations and two puncture wounds, which required about 10 stitches.

Following the attack, the deputies quickly arrested Rodriguez and took him into custody. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on numerous charges, including injuring a working dog, resisting arrest, second-degree burglary and property vandalism, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.

Nike was rushed by his handler to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of North County in San Marcos for emergency treatment. He was released from veterinary care early Sunday morning.

“He’s a tough pup with a passion for his work. Nike, who has been a Sheriff’s K-9 for almost two years, is now healing at home with his deputy handler. We are hopeful Nike will make a full recovery,” the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.

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