The collision happened just after 10 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Blackstone and Shields avenues in Central Fresno.
Police say a 79-year-old man ran a red light and broadsided the K9 unit's patrol car. The police car then rolled into a nearby canal. The police officer was able to get out and rescue his dog.
Officers on the scene say the situation could have been much worse.
"We're very fortunate that the canal was low this time of year, it's usually much higher, (but) at this time it only had two feet of water. The K9 officer was able to take his dog out of the unit safely," said Fresno police Lt. Herman Silva.
The officer did not appear to be hurt but was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. The 79-year-old driver was taken to a hospital with injuries to his leg and arm, and he was last listed in serious condition. The police dog was not seriously injured.
The driver has not been formally charged, but police say he will be cited for failure to stop at a red light.
