A Sharon man is facing a variety of charges, including aggravated assault of a police officer, after he allegedly fought with a police dog.

The incident began at about 8 p.m. Thursday when Shenango Township police saw William R. Cypher, 37, of 973 Forker Blvd., speeding northbound on state Route 60, Police Chief Ronald Preston said. Cypher's car reached speeds of about 115 mph, Preston said.

Cypher refused to stop for police and led them on a chase for a little more than 2 miles; when he tried to leave Route 60 at the state Route 18 exit, he lost control of his car and it crashed, Preston said. Cypher ran from the car into a wooded, brushy field, the chief said.

Police couldn't locate Cypher, so they sealed off the area and called Sharon patrolman Jeff Brown and his canine, Yelle, Preston said.

Yelle found Cypher in the field, and Cypher was making threatening moves as if he had a weapon, Preston said. Police released Yelle on Cypher and the two struggled, Preston said.

Eventually Yelle stopped Cypher, and police arrested. He was treated at UPMC Horizon, Farrell, for bite wounds to his side, Preston said.

Cypher told police he ran from them because he didn't have a driver's license, according to the affidavit of probable cause. He told police the car he was driving belonged to a friend.

Cypher also told police at the hospital that he grabbed the dog's mouth to keep the animal from biting him, the affidavit says.

Shenango Township and Sharon police said they want to emphasize to people that a police dog should be treated like a policeman.

The Pennsylvania Crimes Code was revised in 1999 to make it a felony to willfully or maliciously taunt, torment, tease, beat, kick, strike, torture, injure, poison or kill a police animal, Sharon police Capt. Michael Menster said.

People will sometimes taunt a police dog that's in the back of a cruiser by banging on the windows or making faces, and they don't realize it's a felony, Menster said.

"That's the point we're trying to get across," he said. "The dog is well trained and won't hurt you if you follow the commands of the officer, but if you try to run or do anything else, the dog's going to come after you."

Both Yelle and Brown are well trained and if Cypher had listened to police orders, Yelle wouldn't have gone after him, Menster said.

Cypher was arraigned Friday before District Justice Henry J. Russo, Hermitage, on charges of aggravated assault, cruelty to animals, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, driving under suspension, careless driving and speeding. His bond was set at $20,000, and his preliminary hearing is set for 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Cypher tried to argue with Russo at his arraignment. Cypher said he never touched the dog. "The dog bit me," he said.

He told Russo that police were "adding charges that don't even exist." He asked to be released on his own recognizance.

"This is not subject to negotiation," Russo told Cypher. "This is an arraignment ... There are two sides to this story. This isn't the time or place to hear them."

Russo told Cypher to talk to his attorney.

In September, Hermitage police charged Cypher with robbery, retail theft, simple assault and disorderly conduct after he went into Wal-Mart and security saw him hiding a CD burner and three DVDs under his clothing while walking around the store, police said. When he tried to leave, security stopped him and a scuffle ensued, during which Cypher bit one of the employees on the arm, police said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com