WI Man Strangled Police Dog, Gouged Eyes During Arrest: Cops

CROWN POINT, IN — A Wisconsin man faces a long list of charges after he gouged a police dog in the eyes and attempted to strangle the animal during a traffic stop in Northwest Indiana, according to authorities.

The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in Crown Point, where an officer tried to stop a 2006 Maserati driven by 32-year-old Tyler Lee Pollard of Kenosha near 93rd Avenue and Main Street, police said, noting the car was traveling 86 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Pollard sped away, stopping after almost a mile in the 8600 block of Taft Street, according to police, who said Pollard refused to open the car door or exit the vehicle.

Officers warned Pollard that if he did not come out they would release a police dog, authorities said. They used a baton to break the passenger window of the locked car and the dog, named Jack, entered the vehicle, according to police.

“The male driver gouged K-9 Jack’s eyes and grabbed K-9 Jack around the throat with both of his hands, leaving the canine briefly incapacitated and causing his eyes to roll to the back of his head,” police said in a news release.

A police corporal ordered Pollard to release the dog and struggled with Pollard, and an officer eventually used a Taser to free the animal, according to authorities, who said Pollard was forcibly removed from the vehicle and taken to receive treatment for minor injuries.

Jack the dog was cleared by a veterinarian Monday and is in the care of his handler, police said, noting two officers were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Pollard was charged with battering an officer, intimidation, resisting, interfering with a law enforcement animal, driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct and reckless driving, according to police, who said he was also cited for speeding and having an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

Pollard was processed at a local jail, posted $2,500 bail and was released, police said.