Okay - I can MAYBE see giving the guy a warning to not be such an idiot. But actual charges? Heck, maybe with a warning and a nice discussion and showing him their dog-handling facilities the guy will give them a nice donation.
“Who’s the Big Dog? I’M the big dog. I’m the big dog!!!”
I can see something like this from some player (a twenty-something mind you) all amped up as he is heading out to “battle”.
§ 15.66. Offenses and penalties.
(4) A crime is a felony of the third degree if it is so designated or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than 7 years, or if it is a crime declared to be a felony without specification of degree.
http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/101/chapter15/s15.66.html
Charges at this point have not been filed, but considered.
As a public figure, I suspect the “consideration of charges” is a public warning.
I agree with you. Striking a police dog (kick, punch, etc), I'm OK with that being a felony.
But taunting is also a felony? I'm not so OK with that, one reason being who decides what "taunting" is? If I wave to a police dog, am I taunting it?
It seems to me that the player was just being silly. At most, it should be a summary offense. Give him a $100 ticket and a warning.
Maybe a warning was issued. Asking the guy to knock-it-off. We don’t know.