CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN) – A Cleveland man is in the Mahoning County Jail on charges he assaulted a city police officer and a city police dog Monday evening during a foot chase.
Domonick Fowler, 35, is charged with assault on a police dog and assault on a peace officer, both fourth-degree felonies, and misdemeanor charges of falsification, obstructing official business and resisting arrest.
Arraignment information is not yet available.
Reports said Fowler was a backseat passenger in a car pulled over about 2:20 a.m. at Wilson Avenue and 9th Street after an officer saw the car driving the wrong way on Robinson Road.
Reports said the driver of the car did not have insurance or a license, and when the officer returned to his cruiser to write a citation, Fowler opened one of the back passenger doors.
When asked, Fowler gave police a false Social Security number and when told if he did not provide his real name, he would be arrested, he ran away, reports said.
Reports said Fowler fell down and the officer tried to take him into custody, but he pushed the officer away and kept running, despite demands that he stop.
A police dog handler was called and police dog Ranger tracked Fowler through the woods on 10th Street, reports said.
Reports said when Fowler could be heard in the woods, he was warned twice if he did not surrender, the dog would be released and bite him. Fowler refused to come out so the dog handler let Ranger go, reports said.
Reports said the dog latched onto Fowler’s pants and when the handler came to get the dog, Fowler was grabbing Ranger’s snout. Fowler let go of the snout but would not give his hands to be handcuffed, reports said.
Reports said it took two other officers to get Fowler’s arms so he could be handcuffed.
The driver of the car was cited for driving under suspension and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.