Burglar punches dog, dog bites back

[twoiron]

A burglar ended up in hospital last night after he punched a police dog and was subsequently bitten on his face and body.

Police had been alerted to a break-in at a factory on Mahoneys Road in Thomastown just before 10pm.

The police dog squad managed to track the offender to a recycling factory with the assistance of the air wing, where the man was allegedly stealing copper.

The offender refused to surrender and is alleged to have punched a police dog called Nat a number of times. When Nat's handler attempted to assist the dog he was also attacked by the man.

The offender was subsequently subdued by the dog squad and received several bites to his face, arms and leg.

The man, a 46-year-old from Lalor, was taken to the Northern hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

He is expected to be charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, assaulting a member of the police and other theft-related offences.