Man charged with misdemeanor for barking at police dog

Police say an Ohio man has been charged with a misdemeanor for barking at a police dog.

Officer Bradley Walker wrote that he heard the K9 unit dog barking uncontrollably inside his patrol car while he was investigating a traffic accident at a pub early Sunday morning. Walker says Stephens was making barking noises and hissing at the animal.

Walker reported that Stephens, when asked why he was harassing the animal, said, "The dog started it." The officer said Stephens appeared to be highly intoxicated.

25-year-old Stephens has been charged with a misdemeanor count of teasing a police dog, according to Los Angeles Times.

'Timber responded as trained and started to bark,' he said, adding that he tried to confront Stephens but he walked away and ignored commands to stop.

After being told by officers that 'deliberate teasing would result in the (dog) responding aggressively and that response could potentially injure the (dog)', Stephens was released to a bar employee who promised to drive him home, Metro reports.