'Bashed' police dog left in pain, court hears

A TEENAGE graffittist has been charged with assaulting a member of the Victorian police _ a German shepherd called Salem.A Melbourne court heard Zar Hunt, 18, kicked the dog after it attacked him and three members of an alleged graffiti gang yesterday in Williamstown.Melbourne Magistrates Court was told that the dog was also struck with a baseball bat, leaving him stiff and sore and requiring a pain-killing injection.But Constable Emma DeBruyn told the court one of the four accused remained in hospital recovering from surgery after Salem bit him on the leg.While he remains under arrest, two co-accused have been bailed - including the man alleged to have used the bat - while Hunt is applying for bail.He is charged with offences that include criminal damage, assault police, cruelty to an animal and possessing graffiti implements.He is charged with assaulting police because Salem and other members of the K9 unit are deemed members of the police force.Constable DeBruyn opposed bail for Hunt on the grounds he's an unacceptable risk.The court heard the accused graffitied a train while a fourth took photographs before they ran from police late yesterday afternoon.Constable DeBruyn said the dog locked onto the ankle of one man before being struck with the bat on the leg.She said the dog gave off a ``high-pitched yelp'', released its grip but soon after locked onto the leg of another accused and pulled him down.It was alleged the four men then surrounded the dog and one, allegedly Hunt, kicked him before all four were subdued with capsicum spray.Defence lawyer Patricia Villella told the court that Hunt, who's on bail for other charges, had mental health issues.The hearing continues.From the Melbourne Age -- use the link below to see the Video on Salem . . .