CRIME Man pleads innocent in injured police dog case

By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A 22-year-old Olive Street Northeast man whose pit bulls attacked a city police dog has pleaded innocent to six misdemeanor charges.
At Tuesday's hearing in municipal court, Jeremey Rogers was released on a $50 bond.
Rogers could face up to a $600 fine if convicted of three charges of having dogs running at large and three charges of failing to register his dogs.
Judge Thomas Gysegem set Rogers' next hearing for 10:15 a.m. June 24.
According to Police Chief John Mandopoulos, two of Rogers' dogs attacked Arras, a brindle Dutch shepherd, on May 19.
Arras was with his partner, Patrol Officer Sherrey Ewanish, when the attack took place. The two had responded to an alarm drop near Rogers' home.
After several attempts to get the pit bulls off the police dog, Ewanish and another officer shot and killed the pit bulls.
Protecting each other
"The dog was very brave just like Sherrey. She threw herself on the dog, she did what she could to protect him," the chief said.
The police dog suffered a serious eye injury and several bites in an attempt to keep Ewanish safe. She suffered minor scratches, Mandopoulos said.
"He's back to work but we have him on light duty right now," the chief said. "We have to watch his eye. We may have to bring him to a canine eye doctor near Cleveland."
The chief said the visit may cost $300 or more.
"We don't want him to be in pain," the chief said.
In 2003, city council voted to pay $9,040 to Vohne Liche Kennels Inc. of Indiana for the dog.
The chief noted that in addition to the monetary investment, there also is a strong emotional bond with all three of the department's K-9 officers.
sinkovich@vindy.com