Police have charged an alleged Muslim rioter with animal cruelty on the celebrated police dog who brought a famous fugitive to heel. The man is alleged to have kicked police dog Chuck and punched two officers during last month's violent Islamic protest in Sydney.Detectives arrested the 26-year-old on Wednesday after he turned himself in. He was charged with rioting, two counts of assaulting police and committing an act of animal cruelty.
The man is alleged to have punched an Australian Federal Police officer in the head with a clenched fist outside the US Consulate during the demonstration. Police also allege he kicked Chuck in the ribs and later punched a policewoman to the ground.
Chuck helped catch Malcolm Naden in March, biting the accused murderer on the arm as he emerged from his hideaway in the dead of night. The German shepherd's actions gave police vital time to clap Naden in handcuffs and close the book on their seven-year manhunt.
The man arrested on Wednesday is the 12th person to face charges over the September 15 riots in Sydney's Central Business District.