CRYSTAL FALLS – A six-year-old boy was bitten on the wrist by the Caspian-Gaastra Police Department’s police dog last week during West Iron County Schools’ annual Rainbow Run event.

An Iron County Sheriff’s Office incident report was obtained Friday by The Daily News through the Freedom of Information Act.

According to the report, the boy was treated at Northstar Health Systems’ emergency department for a bite injury to the right wrist and the police dog was recommended to be confined and out of service for a period of 10 days following the incident.

The incident occurred on the morning of June 4 in Caspian near the intersection of Brady Avenue and Museum Drive.

Caspian-Gaastra Police Chief Terry Post told investigating deputies that he had his K-9 unit Rex, a two-year-old Dutch Shepherd, at the finish line of the Rainbow Run.

The Rainbow Run is an annual 5K run for West Iron students and staff, as well as the general public.

Post said that children were petting the dog and giving it treats when the victim, a six-year-old Iron River boy, ran up, pushed his arm toward Rex’s head, and pulled it away, causing the dog to bite. Rex probably thought that the boy had a treat in his hand, said Post.

When interviewed by deputies, the boy said that he petted the dog on the head and was bit when he pulled his hand away.

The animal bite report included with the incident report indicated that Rex’s rabies vaccination was current.

Officials from both the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the incident, and West Iron County Schools declined to comment and referred inquiries to city of Caspian officials. Phone messages left for the Caspian city manager and the Caspian-Gaastra police chief have not been returned.

Nikki Younk’s e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.