Developing story
The sheriff’s office tracking dog was unhurt after a man allegedly threatened to kill K-9 Gunny during a footchase Tuesday.
Kenneth Hayes, 64, was released on a $1,500 secured bond on a single charge of assault on a law enforcement animal. His address was listed as 1414 Kenneth Hayes Lane, Chadbourn.
Gunny was deployed on a foot chase to assist deputies chasing another suspect around 6 p.m., Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jenna Jalving said. The original suspect fled into a wooded area.
The K9 Deputy and Gunny were directed toward the suspect’s last known direction, Jalving said.
“Gunny began tracking through the woods and after a short distance, the deputy was near the wood line next to another yard,” Jalving said in an email. “He heard a male state ‘keep that f—— dog out of my yard’.”
The deputy advised the male, later identified as Kenneth Hayes, that the deputies were allowed by law to track across his yard if the dog found a track.
“ The male then stated, ‘I don’t give a f— who y’all are,’ and began walking,” Jalving said. Hayes then allegedly stopped and looked at the deputy then said, ‘I’ll blow the f—— dog’s brains out’ and began walking towards a building on the property.”
The K9 handler, Gunny and another deputy took cover behind some trees, Jalving said.
“Due to the events that had taken place and the deputy having to stop K9 Gunny from tracking the suspect, the track was delayed and caused prevention of the arrest of the initial suspect,” she said.
Hayes was detained by a sergeant and later arrested.
The name of the initial suspect being pursued was not immediately available.
