NSW police charge man over domestic violence and animal cruelty offences

A man has been charged after allegedly punching a police dog following an investigation into a domestic violence incident at West Kempsey overnight.

About 12.45am (Sunday 26 July 2020), police were called to a house in Neville Everson Street, West Kempsey, in relation to a domestic disturbance.

Officers attached to the Mid North Coast Police District attended and commenced an investigation.

As a result of inquiries, police conducted a search of the house with the assistance of a police dog named Mona.

After a short search, Mona gave an indication to her handler that there was someone underneath the house.

As she searched under the home, it will be alleged a man punched her, causing her to reel backwards.

It’s further alleged that when she went back to the man, he grabbed her by the throat, pinning her to the ground.

The police dog handler went to assist his companion and the man allegedly tried to punch him but missed.

The man was eventually placed under arrest and taken to Kempsey Police Station.

The 46-year-old West Kempsey man was charged with seven offences, including contravene apprehended domestic violence order, commit an act of cruelty upon an animal (two counts), resist officer in the execution of duty, assault officer in the execution of duty, intimidate police officer in the execution of duty and breach of bail.

The man was refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court today (Sunday 26 July 2020) where he was formally refused bail, to appear at Kempsey Local Court tomorrow (Monday 27 July 2020).

/Public Release. View in full here.