Man Accused Of Biting Police Dog

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mark A. McClarty is in trouble for allegedly taking a bite out of crime -- or rather a crime dog.

Police say a man bit a Kansas City police officer and his dog Friday after trying to stiff a cab driver on an early morning fare.

Police say McClarty hit a cop then nearly bit the ear off the officer's police dog. McClarty also allegedly bit the lawman and broke the skin on the officer’s hand, too.

Capt. Rich Lockhart Lockhart said a cab driver told a police officer at 2:15 a.m. that someone had refused to pay a fare. When the officer found the man and got out of his car to stop him, Lockhart said, the man spun around and punched the officer.

The officer used a remote control to release his police dog from the patrol car while scuffling with the suspect. During the fracas, McClarty allegedly bit the officer and the dog.

After other officers arrived, one used his Taser gun to subdue McClarty. The officer was treated at a hospital, while the dog's ear was reattached by a veterinarian.

McClarty 28, of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and stealing.