Fresno Man Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Other Man, Police Dog with Broken Chunks of Asphalt
FRESNO, CA — A Fresno County man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting another man and a police dog.
According to a press release by the Fresno Police Department, officers responded to the area of Calaveras Street and Van Ness Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 7, to investigate a report of assault.
The victim reported that they had been sitting at the bus stop when an unknown man approached him and struck him twice in the side of the head with a large chunk of asphalt, causing a laceration.
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and examined the victim, who reportedly declined to be taken to hospital.
Officers identified the suspect in the assault as Keon Pyant, 43, of Riverdale.
Police reportedly located Pyant a short distance away from the scene and attempted to make contact, but Pyant was allegedly uncooperative and had picked up another chunk of asphalt, which he allegedly raised towards officers multiple times.
Officers ultimately deployed K-9 Officer Nick to subdue Pyant, who allegedly retaliated by striking Nick in the face and breaking one of his teeth.
Pyant was nonetheless arrested, police said. He was later booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, felony assault on an officer, felony assault on a police canine, and resisting arrest.
K-9 Officer Nick reportedly received emergency treatment at an area vet and is recovering.
