Suspect punches K-9 during arrest

STRATHMORE — A man wanted on three felony warrants was treated at Sierra View District Hospital for bites he received when he ran from authorities and was captured by a K-9 Tuesday.

Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Gary Hunt said the man, Miguel Medrano Diaz, 27, had been wanted on narcotics charges. He was reported missing on Monday, but on Tuesday deputies learned the man was at his mother’s house in Strathmore.

When officers arrived to take him into custody, the man ran, and a TCSD dog was sent after him. The dog caught up to the man and a scuffle ensued where the man punched the dog in the nose, said Hunt, giving the dog a bloody nose. However, the dog also got the man.

Hunt said the man was arrested on narcotics charges, resisting arrest and assaulting a police dog. Hunt said they also found methamphetamine in his pocket, so a charge of possession of narcotics will be added.