For one Gainesville man, a Sunday morning incident resulted in multiple charges. For K-9 officer Ace, he was just doing his job.
Arthur Leonard Lang, 40, was seen driving a vehicle, recently reported as stolen, near The Niche Student Apartments, located at 4000 SW 37th Blvd. When Gainesville Police attempted to pull him over, Lang fled on foot, according to the arrest report.
Officer Ed Ratliff deployed K-9 Ace to pursue Lang, but Lang punched the police dog multiple times. Lang reentered his vehicle and was again confronted by officers, according to the report. While attempting to handcuff Lang, Officer Ratliff and his colleague, Officer Ross Shugan, sustained blows before apprehending him.
During a search of the stolen vehicle, officers found 25 grams of synthetic cannabinoid, or “spice,” along with a crack pipe, according to the report.
Sgt. Charles Owens, GPD Canine Unit Team Supervisor, said K-9 Ace, 2.5-year-old German Shepherd, is expected to make a full recovery.
“He’s a little sore but no lasting injury,” Owens said. Officer Ratliff will need surgery for a broken hand sustained during the incident.
Lang had an active warrant for burglary and grand theft. He was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft auto, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, striking a police animal and driving on a suspended license.
He remains in jail in lieu of a combined bond of $156,000.
Officer Ed Ratliff pets Ace, 2, Saturday, February 23 during a Gainesville Police Department K-9 unit demonstration at the 2nd Annual Stop Paws Learn event at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo. Ace is an apprehension and narcotics certified dog, who is trained to track and find people and drugs for the police department. Ratliff has been working with Ace on the road since the summer of 2018.
Lang
