Naked man accused of biting police dog

PRINCE ALBERT — A city police service dog remains in fine form while the naked suspect who allegedly punched and bit the dog during a takedown now faces multiple charges, including cruelty to animals.

Prince Albert Police Sgt. Brandon Mudry said the canine officer, named Jagger, was “fine” after the incident, which unfolded early Tuesday morning.

“I don’t know if (Jagger) was treated for his injuries, but as I understand it, he received a bite and was punched,” Mudry said.

According to police, officers were dispatched at 2:32 a.m. to the Little Red River Park area on the northern edge of the city after receiving a call about a family dispute. The caller told police that a man under the influence of drugs had fled the area in an older Honda Civic.

Several officers swept into the area. While crossing a bridge, they saw a vehicle driving south into oncoming traffic.

Their attempt to stop the car led to the motorist driving dangerously in an effort to avoid them.

The suspect vehicle continued to drive south in the northbound traffic lane down Second Avenue West and through the city onto Highway 2. The driver then attempted to turn onto Highway 11, at which point the car went out of control, seemingly due to excessive speed, and slid into the ditch, police said.

The driver, who was naked at the time, then left the car and began to flee on foot.

Mudry said he was at a loss to explain why the man was nude.

“Hopefully that could come out in court,” he said.

Officers then deployed Jagger to help apprehend the suspect. During the chase, Jagger was allegedly assaulted by the suspect before incapacitating him.

Parkland Ambulance paramedics transported the man to Victoria Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Jagger’s status as a police dog did not translate into a specific charge of assaulting a police officer. Mudry described the case more as a general example of cruelty to animals.

“If you punched an animal, and if it meets the criteria for a criminal charge — I mean, it doesn’t matter if it’s a police dog … It just happened to be in the line of duty when it happened,” Mudry said.

A 20-year-old man is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, resisting arrest and cruelty to animals.