Picking the wrong fight

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man had to get stitches on Christmas Eve after he reportedly fought with a police K-9.

About 2:40 p.m. on Christmas Eve Paul Gomez, 57, of Moses Lake, was spotted entering his mother’s home in the 4300 block of Miller Drive Northeast. He was known to officers as having a Department of Corrections arrest warrant.

A Moses Lake police officer surveilled the house as additional officers arrived and surrounded the location, as police records indicate Gomez has a history of attempting to flee police and officers have been at the home several times in the past. Police contacted the occupants of the home, who claimed Gomez was not at the house and told officers to obtain a search warrant. The home owner gave police written consent to search the house, but police did not find Gomez.

Police were then told Gomez was hiding in the attic and officers and Gomez’s family members attempted to convince him to exit the attic for almost an hour. Grant County Sheriff’s Office K-9 deputy Chicka was brought to the scene and sent into the attic, as the space is reportedly too small for officers to enter.

Gomez reportedly fought with Chicka and ended up choking and kicking the dog. Gomez received numerous bite marks and lacerations to his head, hands and leg. Gomez was transported to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake for treatment, where he received several stitches and staples to his head and ear.

Gomez was later released from the hospital and booked into the Grant County Jail for the DOC warrant and first-degree malicious mischief-attempting to injure/kill a police K-9, escape of community custody, resisting arrest and obstruction of a public servant.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.