Ark Valley News - Video of man using dog as a weapon goes viral

A suspect is seen swinging a dog at a Park City police officer in this still frame taken from video recorded by the police car's dash cam Aug. 23.

Video of man using dog as a weapon goes viral
By David Dinell
Last Updated: August 28, 2015

A police dash cam video taken Aug. 23 in Park City has received national, even international, attention.

The video shows an officer questioning a Park City resident who was walking a small dog.

The incident unfolded on North Kerman Street after residents called police complaining of a suspicious person.

The man, Michael A. Rush, 28, whom Police Chief Phil Bostian said was drunk or on drugs, started attacking the officer and twice swung the dog, still on its leash, at the officer, using the dog as a weapon.

At least one of those swings was captured on video, shocking viewers. Comments on news blogs and under the video were universal in condemning the suspect's misuse of the dog, with many calling for his severe punishment.

The video was broadcast by Wichita TV stations Aug. 24 and quickly went viral. Major publication, such as the New York Daily News and Toronto Sun, used it along with newspapers in Europe. On Aug. 25, Bostian was fielding calls from a variety of news outlets, including NBC-TV and Reuters news service.

The video also has been posted on YouTube.

While the scene of seeing a little dog forced to hit a police officer was unsettling to viewers, the good news, Bostian said, is that the dog was unhurt and is now in protective custody in a secured area of the Kansas Humane Society. It will be up to a judge as to whether the dog, a Pekingese mix, goes back to its owner or not, Bostian said.

Rush was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation after the incident and then booked into the Sedgwick County jail. He was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, which is a felony, and three misdemeanors: animal cruelty, resisting arrest and being a pedestrian on a roadway under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Bond was set at $25,000 and he remained in jail Aug. 25.

Bostian said the officer, whose name is not being released, did a good job of dealing with the suspect.

"He did what he could without hurting him," Bostian said, despite the fact that the suspect hit the officer.

Compounding the officer's problem was the fact that his Taser didn't work properly when he first attempted to use it. The officer used pepper spray on Rush to no avail. At that point, the suspect swung the dog as a weapon, attempting to knock the officer down.

The officer did put out a call for help, but the nearest officer was six to seven minutes away handling a burglary call. He rushed to the scene as quickly as he could along with Sedgwick County sheriff's deputies.

In the video, viewers can see the officer moving about in a circular motion, getting away from Rush, but not leaving the scene so he could keep Rush occupied until help arrived.

Bostian, a veteran law enforcement officer, said the experience was a new one.

"I've never seen anyone use a dog as a weapon," he said.

City officials said they were pleased at the department's response.

"I think he (the officer) showed great restraint," Park City council member and former police chief George Capps said. "It's hard to be a police officer these days."