A man found loitering in an industrial Christchurch yard this morning has been arrested after allegedly attacking a police officer and trying to choke and break a police dog's leg.
Christchurch Police Senior Sergeant Craig Scott said the incident occurred in Horby around 6.30am.
The 20-year-old man was traced by an officer with a police dog after reports of his suspicious behaviour in the industrial part of town, Mr Scott said.
He then attacked the handler and the dog - trying to choke the dog and then bending its leg with the aim of snapping it, he said.
Both the dog and the handler escaped without injury, Mr Scott said.
