These columns list arrests and not convictions, unless otherwise stated. Anyone listed here who is later found not guilty or has had the charges against them dropped is welcome to inform this newspaper. The information will be confirmed and printed.
A dog attacked two deputies and was shot last week...
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OKEECHOBEE — A dog attacked two deputies and was shot last week when his owner was arrested for misuse of the 911 system.
On May 14, an Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a home in the 9300 block of Southeast 61st Drive. Dispatch told him the complainant had called 911 three times already, becoming more and more irate with each call. The dispatcher said the caller reported someone hit him in the head. When he arrived, he found another deputy already on the premises. This deputy told him the complainant, identified as Christopher Burk, 44, no longer wanted to file a report.
As the two deputies talked to Burk, the report notes, an 80-90 pound tan Pitbull type mixed breed dog was tied up in the yard with a rope. The dog was aggressive, snarling and lunging towards the two deputies as they spoke to the dog’s owner.
Burk was told it was a crime to misuse the 911 system for non-emergency situations, and the two deputies left.
Less than an hour later, Burk called 911 for the fifth time and reportedly apologized to dispatch for the earlier calls, telling them he really did want to make a report this time. When the deputies arrived, Burk was reportedly angry to see the same men again and refused to make a report. One of the deputies grabbed his arm and told him he was under arrest.
According to the arrest report, Burk tried to get away and the men put him on the ground, getting one wrist restrained. At that point, the dog somehow came bursting out of the front door towards the deputies and attacked. Despite efforts to get away from the dog, the men were not able to stop his attack or get away and finally, one of the deputies shot him in the right front shoulder. The dog ran toward the backyard and fell to the ground. Burk began running toward his dog but then passed the dog and kept going. The two deputies caught up to him in the 9200 block and were able to get the restraint on his other wrist.
The dog died at the scene.
Burk was charged with misuse of the 911 system, escape and resisting arrest without violence. Bond was set at $27,000.
