photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured June 28, 2022.

Lawrence police arrested an unidentified man Wednesday afternoon after the man allegedly stripped naked in a gas station bathroom before police arrived and then bit a dog’s neck and ear as police confronted him.

Police were called around 3 p.m. to the Casey’s General Store at 1703 W. Sixth St. A witness reported that a man and his dog had entered the bathroom and refused to leave, according to a release from the Lawrence Police Department.

A “bizarre and violent encounter,” as police described it, then ensued. When officers entered the bathroom they saw the man performing a sexual act upon himself. The man refused to stop as officers attempted to take him into custody. Officers Tased the man twice before they were able to place him into handcuffs, the release said.

The man continued to resist officers and bit into the ear and neck of the dog he was with, refusing to let go, police said. With help from additional officers, the dog was freed and the man was taken into custody. He was taken to the hospital by personnel from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical for an evaluation, the release said.

Multiple officers suffered minor injuries during the altercation, with one officer being treated at the hospital for a bite wound inflicted by the man. The dog was taken to the Lawrence Humane Society for treatment of minor injuries, the release said.

Police will recommend a “litany of charges” for the man once he is identified, the release said.

Sgt. Drew Fennelly with the Lawrence Police Department told the Journal-World via email that the dog was a medium to large breed, but he did not know a specific breed. He said the dog did not display any signs of aggression at any point.

“The man is still at the hospital, and has not yet been positively identified,” Fennelly said at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. “Based on his behavior I suspect he will be at the hospital for some time.”