Authorities have released a photo of a police dog that almost drowned at the hands of a man who was part of a police pursuit in a suburb in Melbourne's north on International Puppy Day on Thursday.
Victoria Police confirmed two men and a woman were arrested after Northcote police officers attempted to stop a white Ford sedan in Preston at about 12:30am before a chase began, according to a statement.
The pursuit concluded after a tire blew off the Ford car and both a 20-year-old woman and a 29-year-old man were arrested at the scene. Another 19-year-old man fled into the Darebin Creek followed by 4-year-old male German Shepherd police dog, Indy.
Police allege the man hit Indy over the head before trying to drown him in the creek in his attempts to get away before he was bit on the hand and managed to escape.
The man later presented himself to a hospital around 10:40am with severe dog bite injuries and was arrested by the Darebin Crime Investigation Unit. He currently remains in custody.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police has told The Huffington Post Australia Indy was later assessed for any injuries following the pursuit and was given the all-clear to return to service.
The 20-year-old female was charged with conduct endangering life, handle stolen goods and traffic matters and granted bail to appear in court at a later date. The 29-year-old male was released pending further enquiries.
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