A Kansas man accused of using a dog as a weapon against police has been charged with animal cruelty.
Michael Rush, 27, was stopped by an officer after Park City police got a call that a man was kicking fences in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Wichita.
After an altercation with the officer, Rush allegedly used his pooch's leash as a kind of tether and swung the Pekingese mix at the officer, according to Park City Police.
“I’ve heard of people sicking a dog but I’ve never heard of anyone using a dog as a weapon like that,” said Park City police chief Phil Bostian. “It’s kind of strange.”
"I think the officer was kind of in shock," Bostian added.
Bostian told NBC News that several officers were eventually able to taser Rush and take him into custody. He has been charged with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, animal cruelty, resisting arrest and being a pedestrian in the roadway under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The dog was unharmed and is now at an animal shelter, Bostian said.
