A police dog was stabbed after officers pursued the driver of this truck, which crashed in northwest Edmonton Monday night. (CBC) Cora the police dog was treated for head wounds she sustained while tracking down a suspect after a high-speed chase in Edmonton Monday night.

The dog was stabbed twice in the head during a foot chase, police said. The animal was taken to an emergency veterinarian clinic and is recovering following surgery. Her wounds are not life-threatening.

"She's expected to recover fully, in fact, they're expecting her back at work within, hopefully, a month or two," police spokesman Jeff Wuite said.

The chase began just after 8 p.m. Monday, when police saw a pickup truck driving erratically on St. Albert Trail near the Yellowhead in northwest Edmonton.

A check of the truck's licence plate showed it was stolen, and officers tried to get the driver to pull over. The truck took off at a high speed down St. Albert Trail, police said.

After chasing the truck for a few blocks, officers called off the pursuit. But they were able to catch up to the suspects after the vehicle crashed into a power pole near 118th Avenue and Groat Road.

Police apprehended the passenger right away. The driver ran off but was tracked by Cora and her police handler. During the arrest, the dog was stabbed with what Wuite described as a "screwdriver-type hand tool."

The 27-year-old man faces a number of charges including dangerous driving, criminal flight, and wilfully causing suffering or injury to an animal.

The 22-year-old passenger was arrested on three outstanding warrants.

Cora will turn six in February and has been with the Edmonton police canine unit for about four years, Wuite said.