Just before 5:30 a.m. police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of 22nd Street West and Avenue F South, but the vehicle fled.

Minutes later, officers found the vehicle still occupied and parked in the 400 block of 18th Street West. The driver then fled on foot and a police service dog was deployed.

As the canine officer was reaching the man, he punched and kicked it several times and then punched the officer twice.

As a result, a 40-year-old Saskatoon man has been charged with assaulting a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operating a vehicle being pursued by police, and willfully injuring a law enforcement animal.