Elgin man accused of attacking police dog

A 35-year-old Elgin man remained jailed on $25,000 bond today after being arrested and charged with trying to kill a police dog during a domestic dispute this week.

Police arrested Jose S. Cruz of the 100 block of Franklin Boulevard at about 7:41 p.m. Monday after receiving a call that Cruz was threating a woman with a hammer.

Elgin Deputy Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said officers entered the home in the 100 block of Franklin and told Cruz to put his hands up.

Swoboda said Cruz refused, grabbed an object off a nearby shelf and said, "Shoot me."

Officers eventually shot Cruz several times with a pepper pellet gun but he continued to resist and threw several dishes and plates at officers, Swoboda said.

Officers finally released a police dog, but Cruz fought with it, too.

"The dog was released and engaged him. Cruz took a broken plate and attempted to stab and cut the dog and punched and kicked the dog in its head and body," Swoboda said.

Two officers and the dog received minor injuries.

Police charged Cruz with five counts of aggravated battery, five counts of aggravated resisting arrest, aggravated assault and one count of attempting to kill a police dog.

The most serious of the charges is a Class 2 felony, which carries up to seven years in prison upon conviction and a maximum $25,000 fine.

Bond was set at 10 percent of $250,000. Cruz is due in court Friday, June. 5.