DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – A K-9 officer bit a Weston man accused of punching a bar owner early Monday morning, according to the Delray Beach Police Department.
A Delray Beach police officer working an off-duty detail at a bar early Monday morning was asked by employees to remove an intoxicated patron, police said.
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Mason Courson, 19, had punched the owner of the bar, thrown him to the ground and was yelling at the owner when the officer arrived, police said.
Courson became belligerent and refused to leave, pushed the officer twice and then tried to run away, police said.
Officers caught up to Courson quickly, but he continued to aggressively resist officers by punching, kicking and attempting to pull away, police said.
Courson displayed "super human" strength and behavior that was similar to that of someone who had ingested Flakka, police said. He refused to be handcuffed and kept his hands tucked under his chest, police said.
That's when K-9 officer Ghost bit Courson's left arm, police said. Officers were then able to place Courson in handcuffs.
Police said Courson kicked an emergency room nurse while at Delray Medical Center.
Courson was arrested on four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on a nurse, simple battery, resisting arrest with violence, disorderly intoxication and possession of under 20 grams of marijuana.
Since the arrest, police said a passerby posted a video of the last moments of the incident, alleging that the K-9 mauled Courson's face while he was handcuffed.
Click here to watch the video (**WARNING: Viewer discretion is advised**)
"The passerby's description of the arrest is grossly inaccurate. Courson was bitten only on the arm and only because he refused to comply with officers' commands to stop resisting arrest and put his hands behind his back," the Delray Beach Police Department said on its Facebook page. "The K-9 officer's actions did not violate Delray Beach Police Department policies. Afterwards, he had no recollection of the arrest and thought he got pulled over by law enforcement for speeding."
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