A police dog has received a life saving blood transfusion, after being stabbed in North Canterbury.

Four-year-old Kosmo sustained a cut to his throat, while responding to an incident in Kaiapoi last night.

The famous canine, who's been featured on the show Dog Squad, received a blood transfusion from another police dog and is being monitored by a vet after undergoing surgery.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Pilot Stuart Farquhar, who was called to the scene around 6pm, said it was an emotional case.

"A lot of people care very strongly for animals, especially when they're doing what they meant to do and they get injured like that so everyone was definitely trying to do their best for the dog, that's for sure."

Farquhar said they managed to get to the badly wounded dog promptly.

"It had apparently been stabbed several times so the poor dog was in a bit of a life-threatening situation. I quickly bundled the dog up on the stretcher inside the helicopter."

He said it was a unique call out.

"I've been doing this job for a long long time now and I've never done anything like this so it's kinda neat to do it and try and help them in some way like that."

A 29-year-old man from Christchurch was arrested at the scene, and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.