A man will face court today charged after a dog was allegedly seriously injured and officers were assaulted on the Central Coast earlier this week.
About 10am on Tuesday 29 September 2026, police were called to Toukley foreshore following reports a dog had been stolen from a woman.
At the scene, officers were told a woman was walking her toy poodle along the foreshore when a man, unknown to the woman, allegedly grabbed the dog and locked himself and the dog inside a vehicle.
Upon the arrival of police, the man allegedly seriously injured the dog and refused to comply with police directions.
Officers smashed the front windows of the vehicle and deployed Tasers and OC spray to effect the arrest of the man.
The 44-year-old man was taken to Wyong Hospital under police guard.
Four officers were also taken to hospital for the assessment of lacerations to their arms and hands sustained during the arrest.
The three-year-old toy poodle was taken to a veterinary clinic where she remains in ICU for the treatment of serious injuries.
The dog’s owner, a 58-year-old woman, sustained grazing and lacerations during the alleged robbery.
Upon release from hospital, the man was charged with 14 offences,
- Robbery
- Attempt drive while under influence of drugs
- Commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal
- Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty (four counts)
- Assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm (four counts)
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
- Destroy or damage property (DV), and
- Breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 6 today (Friday 2 October 2026).
