Court’s Bite Is Less Than His Bark
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PALO ALTO — Richard “Tyson” Dillon got away with barking.
Until Thursday, the 25-year-old Menlo Park man was facing possible jail time and a hefty fine for barking at a Palo Alto police dog. Prosecutors, however, decided to drop the case.
“Even though what the suspect did here was stupid, reckless and irresponsible, I don’t think it warranted criminal prosecution or the necessary expenditure of community resources,” said Jay Boyarsky, supervising deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County.
Palo Alto police cited Dillon on March 5, Mardi Gras night, after he barked at one of their dogs, which was sitting in a patrol car. Dillon maintained that he simply returned a single “friendly bark,” but police said he harassed the animal by barking multiple times and raising his fist in a threatening manner.
Dillon subsequently was charged with a rarely used misdemeanor that makes it a crime to willfully and maliciously interfere with a police officer’s duty by teasing and agitating the officer’s dog.
Outside the Palo Alto courthouse Thursday, a relieved Dillon said he had no hard feelings against the police.
“But I really didn’t think I should face a year in jail and a $1,000 fine for barking at his dog,” he said.
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