Doylestown Man Charged With Tormenting Police K9 During Arrest

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Central Bucks Regional Police have charged a 57-year-old Doylestown man with tormenting a police K9 during a public drunkenness arrest over the weekend.

Joseph Placid Harrison was arrested Saturday for public drunkenness after it was reported there was a "suspicious" man standing in traffic. When officers arrived, Harrison was staggering, had slurred speech, and smelled of alcohol, police said.

Officers offered to give Harrison a ride home. Once in front of his home, Harrison became "highly agitated and combative," kicking the door of the patrol vehicle, according to police.

Harrison then went over the K9 Police Vehicle, which was occupied by the police service dog, and struck the window with a closed fist, police said.

Harrison was arraigned on charges of taunting/tormenting a police animal, a third-degree felony.

Bail was set at 10 percent of $100,000 and he was remanded to Bucks County Prison.