Man arrested after standoff at motel and K-9 attacked by pit bull, Merced police say

A man has been arrested following a standoff with officers at a Merced motel during which a police K-9 was attacked by a pit bull, according to the Merced Police Department.

Offices responded to a report of criminal threats at Merced Inn and Suites, 2010 E. Childs Ave., at about 5:44 a.m. Sunday, according to a news release.

Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Gregory Young, who is currently on probation out of Merced for assault with a deadly weapon. Officers attempted to make contact with Young at the motel where he was staying, police said.

Police said that while contacting the suspect, a large pit bull ran out of the man’s room and attacked a Merced Police Department K-9.

Officers attempted to subdue the pit bull without using lethal force but were unsuccessful and the dog was put down, according to police. It was not clear how the dog was put down.

Following a short standoff with officers, Young was taken into custody and booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of criminal threats, according to the news release.

The police K-9 suffered minor injuries, was treated at a veterinarian office and released, police said.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Merced Police Department at 209-385-6912 or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at 209-385-4725.

The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and include the word “Comvip” as the “keyword” in the text message, according to police.

This story was originally published April 5, 2020 at 1:52 PM.