A MAN has been charged with a litany of offences after attacking a police dog and two officers after a chase through Wiltshire yesterday (Saturday).

Mark Day, 33, of Moot Close, Downton, was arrested on Saturday morning after Wiltshire police were alerted by Dorset police to reports of a stolen vehicle entering the county.

A police helicopter was scrambled and they followed the vehicle to Amesbury, where a man and a woman got out. The woman was caught but the man fired a catapult at two police officers and police dog Elvis.

Police say that both the officers and Elvis were not seriously hurt in the incident and have since returned to duty.

The man who fired the catapult was arrested at the scene and kept in custody.

He has since been charged with the following offences:

- Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place (catapult)

- Two charges of attempt to cause GBH with intent

- Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006

- Driving whilst disqualified

- Aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving

- Failing to provide a specimen for analysis as a vehicle driver

- Failing to stop a vehicle when required to do so by an officer

- Using a vehicle on a public place without insurance

The 33-year-old has been remanded in custody and is due to appear via live video link at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Monday.

A 21-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent following yesterday’s incident.

She has been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.