Ohio Man Accused of Barking at Police Dog

(Mason, Ohio) Contrary to state law, a 25-year-old local man, Ryan Stephens, has been accused of unlawful barking at a police dog.

Stephens, 25, of Mason was charged with the misdemeanor taunting office [sic] on April 3 after a police officer said Stephens was “making barking noises and was hissing at the police dog inside of the car,” a police report says.

Officer Bradley Walker was outside the car investigating a car crash at the Mason Pub when he said he heard the animal “barking uncontrollably” in response to Stephens’ alleged taunting, a report says.

“Timber (the dog) responded as trained and started to bark,” the officer wrote.

In his defense, Stephens said, "The dog started it."