A Lake County sheriff’s canine bit a man in the arm after he allegedly battered his girlfriend and refused to surrender to deputies in Beach Park Saturday evening.
Ruben Ruiz, 26, of Beach Park, was charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count of obstructing a peace officer.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 6:45 p.m. Saturday to a manufactured home in the 38700 block of North Sheridan Road in Beach Park for a report of a domestic battery in progress.
A woman called 911 to report her boyfriend, Ruiz, who lives at the same address, had hit and choked her, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.
Prosecutors said during a court hearing Sunday morning that Ruiz and his girlfriend were arguing because Ruiz was talking to another woman.
Ruiz allegedly grabbed his girlfriend and threw her against the wall, leaving a hole in the wall.
The victim was able to exit the house and deputies found the woman bleeding, prosecutors added.
Deputies established a perimeter around the home.
Shortly after establishing the perimeter, Ruiz tried to escape out of a window, but retreated when he saw the deputies, Covelli said.
Deputies, including Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Danno and his handler Deputy Andrew Martini, entered the home to arrest Ruiz.
“Ruiz hid under a bed and refused to follow the instructions from sheriff’s deputies,” Covelli said.
“Ruiz was warned that if he did not surrender, K9 Danno would be released.”
Ruiz allegedly refused to surrender and Danno was released.
“K9 Danno bit Ruiz’ arm and he then surrendered,” Covelli said.
Beach Park firefighter/paramedics responded to the scene to evaluate Ruiz for the dog bite.
Ruiz was then transported to the Lake County Jail.
Ruiz appeared in court for his first appearance hearing on Sunday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Ruiz pending trial under the SAFE-T Act.
Ruiz remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Tuesday.