Alfred Clarke, 44, of 418 Indiana Ave., was charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

Sharpsville patrolman Thomas Borton, the handler for a K-9 police dog, was outside playing with his dogs in front of his Bond Street, Farrell, home at 1 p.m. Nov. 16 when Clarke walked by, Southwest Mercer County Regional police said.

According to police, the K-9 ran toward Clarke in a "playful" manner. Clarke yelled for Borton to get the dog away or he would kill it, police said.

Borton called the dog, a German shepherd, away and Clarke continued to threaten to kill it, police said.

Clarke tried to taunt Borton into a fight, stepping into the policeman's yard and yelling "I'll kill that f------ dog, I'll kill you and I will burn your f------ house down," police said.

The dog is trained to bite only on command, and the command was not given, police said.

Clarke left, walking northbound on Indiana Avenue, and Borton called police, police said.

Clarke was on his way to a doctor's appointment at the time for examination of an injury he claimed was inflicted by a Southwest patrol car in January.

Clarke said he was backed into by the cruiser Jan. 23 at the entrance to Farrell Area School District property off Roemer Boulevard, Farrell.

Patrolman David Moyer wrote in his report that it was "extremely unlikely" that the cruiser hit Clarke.

Clarke was released on his own recognizance following the hearing.