BALDWIN, Maine — A Cumberland County man who left the scene of an accident faces multiple charges after he allegedly punched a police dog on Monday, according to police.
Howard Liberty, 45, lost control of his pickup truck while turning onto Graffam Road just after 7:30 p.m., the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said in a release. The pickup rolled for 500 feet before coming to a stop.
Liberty fled the scene, according to the release, leaving two injured passengers to fend for themselves. After rescue workers tried to find him, a police canine named Paco joined the search.
Liberty was eventually found but he refused to cooperate, punching Paco. The dog bit the suspect in the thigh and Liberty surrendered, police said.
Liberty is facing charges of leaving the scene of an accident, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon — his pickup — assault on a police dog and refusing to submit to arrest, according to the release.
The truck’s passengers, Stoy Day, 45, of Sanford and Daniel Ford, 43, of West Baldwin were treated for minor injuries. The police dog was not seriously hurt.
Police believe speed and alcohol were factors and more charges against Liberty are pending.
Good dog, Paco!
I hope that Paco sunk his teeth in nice and deep on that fool!
Give the dog a bone! A thigh bone, that is!
Paco? That’s Trooper Bustard’s dog? I bet ya there was a whole lot of head shaking going on.. :) Good Boy Paco…. Good Boy!!
Glad you’re safe Paco!..job well done!..I hope you get recognized for doing your job and well done at that!
Yay for Paco!!!!Jehovah likes Paco!!!
Way to go, Paco. Glad you realize you don’t have to take crap like that!
The guy clearly deserves whatever happens to him, but can I just point out that if you are bit by an animal, your impulsive reaction is to get it off, whether by kicking, hitting or shaking… When I clicked on this article I thought he walked up to the dog and punched it..
He punched the dog first….then the dog bit him!! So good job Paco!!
obviously he didn’t punch the dog hard enough!!!
And someone should probably do the same for you…
Would you like to try–You better have more than 1 measly dog cause i pack more than a mean punch.