By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Brave dog: Sullivan bit the police dog, like this one, on the muzzle as it tried to drag him from a bush


It has often been said that if a dog bites a man it's not news. But when a man bites a dog... now that's a story.

This was literally the case when burglar Erin Sullivan was snared robbing a house in Glendale, Arizona, in March 2010.

When the thief fled the property, leaping into neighbours' gardens, Phoenix K-9 officers unleashed Zeke the police pooch in hot pursuit.

The dog soon caught up, but instead of going quietly, Sullivan, 33, fought back, raining down punches before sinking his teeth into its muzzle.

The brave dog hung on and officers swooped in and arrested Sullivan, who is serving eight years in prison for criminal trespassing, second-degree burglary and cruelty to animals.

Despite injuring Zeke, Sullivan has now demanded $200,000 from Glendale and $250,000 from Phoenix for breaching his human rights.

He also claims officers refused to give him insulin to treat his diabetes after the arrest a year ago, which his lawyer, Keith Knowlton, claimed lead to a diabetic seizure in a Glendale cell.

Sullivan alleges the dog violated his civil rights and used excessive force to capture him.

The lawsuit names the cities of Phoenix and Glendale and four officers.

He claims when he heard the police helicopter circling overhead he dropped to his knees and put his hands on his head.


source: dailymail