Ludlow man held without bail after siccing dog on police: Officer bit in altercation

LUDLOW — A local man accused of siccing his dog on police is being held without right to bail and his dog is in quarantine pending a vicious animal hearing.

Bradley V. Caverly, 25, was arrested Sunday night and charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of threatening to commit murder, five counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, said Police Chief Daniel Valadas.

Police responding to a complaint of an out-of-control man at about 7:45 p.m. on Miller Street, were confronted by Caverly, who allegedly threatened to order his large black dog, Bear, to kill the officers, he said.

“The dog immediately showed aggressive behavior, growling and lunging at officers, and soon bit the first responding officer in the thigh. That officer deployed his Taser, but it was ineffective,” Valadas said.

Multiple officers arrived to assist and used their electronic stun guns to try to subdue Caverly and the dog. “Five officers working together eventually forced Caverly to submit to arrest despite his violent resistance,” Valadas said.

The officer who was bit was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and later released. Caverly declined medical treatment, Valadas said.

Caverly was ordered held behind bars without bail during his Monday arraignment in Palmer District Court. A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for him on Oct. 6.

The dog, a black lab mix, is in the custody of Ludlow Animal Control. The Board of Selectmen will hold a hearing to determine its fate in the future, Valadas said.

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