‘Animal lover’ refused bail after allegedly attempting to drown Victorian police dog

A 19-year-old man has appeared in court accused of attempting to drown a police dog during a pursuit in Preston.

Authorities allege Stephen Ward jumped into Darebin Creek after police pursued him and two others in a white Ford down Albert Street on Thursday morning.  

He was chased by police dog, Indy, who he struck on the head and then held underwater. A police officer pulled the four-year-old police dog to safety.

Mr Ward, who was on bail at the time, suffered severe dog bite wounds to the calf and was taken to hospital under police guard.

The Pascoe Vale teenager appeared today in Heidelberg Magistrates Court where he was charged with animal cruelty, resisting arrest, and breaching his bail conditions.

His grandmother, Jenny Hibbert, described him as a “animal lover” outside court.

“He was in shock. He said the dog tried to drown him,” Ms Hibbert said.

“Stephen loves German shepherds. I couldn’t see him intentionally drowning the dog.”

He was refused bail, after police told the court he was “at risk of re-offending.”

Mr Ward will re-appear in court later this month.

Indy has since been cleared for duty after spending yesterday afternoon at the vet.