Man charged with animal cruelty after police dog goes missing

AUSTRALIA -- A man has been charged with animal cruelty after an incident on the Gold Coast where police were forced to rescue one of their police dogs from a locked four-wheel-drive.

An officer was forced to smash the window of the abandoned vehicle to free Police Dog Ox, who had been missing for about six hours on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, officers had tried to stop a vehicle on Foxwell Street in Coomera, when the 40-year-old driver allegedly rammed their police car.

Police pursued the vehicle and twice tried unsuccessfully tried to deploy road stingers to bring it to a halt.

The driver then allegedly crashed into another police car before the driver fled the scene.

It was at that point police said PD Ox, a German Shepherd, became separated from his handler. It sparked a land and air search as officers tried to find the 5-year-old canine.

Police arrested the 40-year-old man about 5.30pm, shortly before they found the dog in an abandoned four-wheel-drive in the Coomera area.

The dog was taken to a vet and was said to be in good health.

PD Ox was expected to return to work on Sunday, with handler Senior Constable Ben Miles telling Seven News he was "pretty worried" when the canine went missing.

"It's a big relief to have him back with me," he said.

The 40-year-old man from Thornlands man faces charges of dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving with a disqualified license, fail to stop motor vehicle, attempted injuring of a police dog, animal cruelty, assaulting police, stealing and burglary.

He is due to face Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

(Brisbane Times - Dec 13, 2015)