Man charged for setting dog on cop

A man is accused of setting a dog on to a police officer after threatening people with a bow and arrow.

The man ran into a house when police arrived at a unit complex at Marks Point, south of Newcastle, on Saturday morning and moments later his dog attacked a police dog and its handler.

Police say the officer shot the dog dead and arrested a man, 23, after a short chase, before charging him with several offences.

He will appear in Newcastle Local Court later on Sunday.