A man accused of assaulting an off-duty DeKalb County police officer at a dog park remained jailed Monday on felony charges.
The officer was assaulted Saturday afternoon as she tried to break up a fight at a dog park, according to police. But a Good Samaritan came to the officer’s aid.
Officers were called to the Brook Run Dog Park during a fight between two park-goers, according to the Dunwoody Police Department. There, they learned another officer had already intervened.
“The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, however the suspect refused to comply and instead pushed the officer,” the police department posted on its Facebook page. “She attempted to place the suspect under arrest and a struggle ensued.”
The suspect, identified as David A. Dawson, then allegedly threw the officer to the ground and pinned her by placing his knee on her throat, according to police. The officer, whose name was not released, said she was on the verge of passing out when a citizen intervened and stopped the assault, Dunwoody police said.
Both Dawson and the officer sustained minor injuries. Dawson, 46, of Dunwoody, was arrested.
Laine Sweezey, president of the park’s association, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Dawson has been a regular at the park for several years. But in recent months, his behavior had become more confrontational, prompting complaints and other calls to police.
“It’s been an ongoing issue,” Sweezey said. “If there’s something wrong, I hope it can be addressed.”
Dawson is charged with aggravated battery and obstruction, both felonies, and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, according to jail records. He remained in jail Monday afternoon on $22,000 bond.
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