SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- A situation that was originally reported as an animal abuse incident escalated into a man being pepper sprayed and arrested for aggravated battery to a police officer over the weekend.

On Sept. 6, Springfield Police officers responded near the intersection of Yale Blvd. and Cornell Ave. after witness reported a man hitting and choking a dog. The man, identified as K’Shawn Rush, was out on pre-trial release for multiple cases of aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

Springfield Police said witnesses reported that the dog may have been stolen, and that Rush was using it to "threaten or intimidate others."

When officers arrived, Rush was lying in a yard with the dog. But, when the officer gave Rush verbal commands to "safely resolve the situation and protec

See Full Page