A 29-year-old man has been charged with Assaulting Police Officer after being accused of commanding his dog to attack.

Around 10:35 a.m. Wednesday police were conducting a traffic stop on a person who had outstanding warrants. The suspect exited the vehicle with a dog, allegedly told it to attack and let the leash go then took off on foot. As a K9 officer and Police Service Dog attempted to take the suspect into custody, he commanded his dog to attack again and this time it went after the Police Service Dog. Pepper spray was used but the dog wouldn’t desist so a CEW was used, and the dog finally relented.

During the arrest, the arresting officer sustained a broken wrist. The suspects’ dog sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was seized by Animal Control. The RPS K9 dog was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries. 29-year-old Nickolas Velikas was arrested and is facing over half a dozen charges and is in court Thursday.

Nickolas Velikas is charged with:

Assault of a Police Officer with a Weapon [CC 270.01(1)(A)] X2;
Resisting a Peace Officer [CC 129(A)]; and
Identity Fraud – Possession of an Identity Document [CC 56.1(1)]; and
Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest [CC 270(1)(B)] X2; and
Injuring Law Enforcement Animal [CC 445.01(1)].
Court # 991277971