Bail granted man accused of injuring police dog

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 31, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man accused of injuring a police service dog while fleeing from officers, has been released from custody pending the outcome of his charges.

Bernhard Geisbrecht Peters, 29, was granted bail Monday in Lethbridge court of justice, where the Crown and defence jointly presented a plan which requires Peters to live with a surety, who has agreed to supervise the accused and pay $2,000 if he breaches any conditions of his release.

Peters, 29, must live with the surety in Barnwell or where otherwise approved by the court, and he is prohibited from possessing weapons and consuming alcohol, drugs and other intoxicating substances. He will be under house arrest 24 hours a day, with some exceptions, including medical emergencies, employment and shopping, and he must report weekly to the RCMP.

Peters is charged with injuring a law enforcement animal, three counts of mischief and one count each of shop-breaking and resisting arrest stemming from an incident on Sept. 15.

At about 1:40 a.m. police responded to a report of a man breaking vehicle windows along the 2100 block of 10 Avenue South. Police service dog Robbie led police to a man matching the description of the subject, but the suspect ignored police direction to stop and fled. Robbie pursued, however, and apprehended him.

During the take down, the man struck Robbie with a lock, and he had to receive stitches for lacerations to his head at Family Pet Hospital.

Further investigation by police determined the subject broke two vehicle windows and into a business compound from which he stole items and damaged a window at the business.

The matter is scheduled to return to court Nov. 20.

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