A North Port Police K-9 officer was bitten by his own dog while trying to protect it Tuesday. Officer Noel Coward's K-9 named Sniper accidentally bit him during a domestic dispute that the two were working on to subdue a man who allegedly attacked a woman.

Coward and other officers from the North Port Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance where the allegedly discovered a man beating up a woman in the house, according to police. Police arrested Dana R. Pascavage, 43, of the 1500 block of Salford Boulevard, on the charge of domestic battery. Other charges may be pending on the assault on Sniper, who is considered a law enforcement officer.

During the arrest, Coward released Sniper after repeatedly telling Pascavage to stop his alleged attack on the woman, said North Port Police Officer Christopher Pifer in his report. When Sniper bit Pascavage, he reportedly grabbed the K-9 by the throat and started chocking him, Pifer said. Coward intervened to protect his dog. During the struggle, Coward said he grabbed Pascavage and pulled him to the ground. Coward said that when Sniper attempted to regain control of Pascavage, Sniper bit Coward on his right elbow instead, then released his grip and bit Pascavage in the right leg.

"It not unusual. The dog is really pumped up," said Sgt. Tony Sirianni, a former North Port K-9 officer. Sirianni also was accidentally bitten by his former K-9 Racco. Sirianni said it is not any different than being accidentally pepper sprayed or hit by another officer while trying to subdue someone.

Coward was taken to Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, where he was treated for a minor injury and released. Pifer said North Port Fire Rescue first took Pascavage to Venice Regional Medical Center where he was treated, then to the Sarasota County Jail. The woman was treated at the scene. Pascavage was being held Thursday on a $10,000 bond.