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Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that at 4:55 p.m. on Sunday, September 17th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls of an assault in progress at a residence in Wilkinson Township, rural Cass Lake, MN. Deputies responded and learned that a male, Kyote Windom, age 27, of Cass Lake, MN, had been in the area and was assaulting individuals with an axe and had left the immediate area. Deputies met with two adult male victims, who were injured, but did not need medical aid. Deputies began to search the area for the male suspect, who was quickly located nearby. While attempting to take him into custody, Deputy Ryan Huston deployed his K9 partner, Ryker. The suspect swung a large metal pipe striking K9 Ryker twice in the head, causing significant injury. The male was taken into custody. K9 Ryker was transported to a Twin Cities area emergency veterinarian hospital and is receiving treatment, the extent of injuries is unknown at this time. Ryker is a 6-year-old German Shepard who has served with Deputy Huston and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for 4 years. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he is treated and recovers from this injury.  Photo submitted.

UPDATE: 

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that K9 Ryker has been released from a Twin

Cities Veterinarian Hospital and is recovering comfortably at home. Ryker sustained

several serious injuries, including a shattered orbital socket, snout fracture, fractured

teeth, and lacerated tongue and cheek. Ryker will continue ongoing treatment and

is expected to make a full recovery. The suspect, Kyote Windom, age 27, of Cass Lake,

MN, has been charged with the following offenses:  Kill or Cause Great or

Substantial Bodily Harm to a Public Safety Dog, Assault-2nd Degree-Dangerous

Weapon (2), Assault-5th Deg-Inflict or Attempt Bodily Harm (2), Fleeing a Peace

Officer By a Means Other Than a Motor Vehicle, Obstruct Legal Process-Interfere

w/Peace Officer. Kyote Windom remains in the custody of the Cass County Detention

Center. 

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and K9 Ryker’s handler and family sincerely thank 

your prayers, thoughts, words, and messages regarding this incident.

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