Police: Jeannette man assaulted 2 officers, K-9 during arrest

A Jeannette man is accused of assaulting two city officers and police dog Arees as he was being arrested Sunday night after a domestic situation, according to police.

The three weren’t hurt, Chief Shannon Binda said.

Justin L. Turner, 37, is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $100,000 bail.

Police were called to a Good Street home three times between 5:20 p.m. and 9 p.m. after a resident there reported Turner was acting strange and allegedly pushed a woman to the ground, according to court documents. Officers tried to arrest him around 9 p.m., but Turner allegedly refused commands. Police said Arees was assaulted twice while trying to apprehend Turner — first when the suspect closed the dog’s head and neck in a bathroom door and then when Turner allegedly hit the animal in the ribs and tried to get free.

Officers said they struggled with Turner throughout his arrest and at the police station, according to court papers. They used a Taser three times, all of which had no effect. Jeannette EMS personnel tried to treat Turner at the station, but police said he refused to speak to them.

He is charged with aggravated assault, child endangerment, disarming a law enforcement officer and other offenses. A Dec. 20 preliminary hearing is set. Turner did not have an attorney listed in online court records.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsignorini@tribweb.com or via Twitter @byrenatta.