Ohio man accused of teasing police dog challenging law

MASON, Ohio (AP) — A southwest Ohio man charged under a city law with teasing a police dog by barking says the law violates free speech.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the attorney for 25-year-old Ryan James Stephens says his client was not striking the animal in suburban Mason. Lawyer Jim Hardin says barking may not be seen as intelligent speech but is “still speech.”

A police officer investigating a car crash at a pub on April 3 reported he heard the dog barking uncontrollably. The officer said he found Stephens making barking noises and hissing at the dog inside the police car.

The officer’s report quoted Stephens as saying “the dog started it” and said the man appeared highly intoxicated.