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Man slugs K-9; dog bites back
By JAMIE JONES, Times Staff Writer SPRING HILL -- John Sylvester Mullady didn't want to go back to jail, sheriff's investigators said. So when deputies accompanied by a German shepherd named Magnum tried taking Mullady into custody on Thursday, he fled in his car, nearly hit a patrol car, ran into nearby woods, and then repeatedly punched the dog, investigators said. Magnum repaid the assault with a bite that left a 1-inch gash in Mullady's arm. "You can't outrun a canine," said Lt. Joe Paez of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. "It's a really bad move." Mullady of 10491 Norvell Road was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital and received five staples to repair the damage to his arm. Investigators gave this account: Deputies went to Mullady's home about 7:45 p.m. to arrest him on an outstanding Levy County warrant for violating parole on drug charges. Deputy Steve Bishop knocked on the door. Mullady answered, said his name was James, and suggested deputies were seeking his brother, John. While another deputy went to a patrol car to get a picture of Mullady, the 31-year-old man slammed and locked the door. Bishop peered into a window and watched Mullady moving around the house. Bishop then removed the screen,and Mullady said he had to call his wife before turning himself in and tried to shut the window. Bishop told Mullady he was calling in a police dog. Mullady then went to his garage and got into a blue Chrysler. He opened the garage door and slammed the car in reverse, squealing out of the driveway. He almost slammed into a patrol car as Bishop followed with his gun drawn. He then reversed about 245 feet down Norvell Road as another deputy chased him with lights flashing. The deputy blocked Mullady, who got out of his car and ran into the woods. After a warning, Deputy Bill Martinez released Magnum, who snagged Mullady's arm. Mullady grabbed Magnum's collar and tried to push him away. Then he punched Magnum's head. Magnum released him and Mullady tried to run, but Magnum grabbed his right arm and pulled him to the ground, authorities said. Martinez ordered Mullady to stop fighting the dog, and he did. Magnum released his hold. After a doctor treated his injuries, Mullady was taken to the Hernando County Jail, where he was charged with injuring a police dog, resisting an officer without violence, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. He was assigned a $4,250 bail on the Hernando County charges but was held without bail for his Levy County warrant. Magnum was fine Friday and ready to return to work. -- Jamie Jones covers law enforcement and courts in Hernando County and can be reached at 754-6114. Send e-mail to jjones@sptimes.com.
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From today's Hernando Times |
