(WFLA/NBC) - A brazen burglar got more than he bargained for when he broke into a pizza restaurant in Winter Haven, Florida.
Security video released by the Polk County Sheriff's office shows the suspect choking a K9 after he refused to come out.
Deputies had warned the intruder that the K9 named “Recon” would go attack, and that's exactly what he did.
Video then shows the suspect, Joseph Pellegrini, choking "Recon" repeatedly. Deputies intervened and the K9 was not seriously injured.
Pellegrini was treated at the hospital for bite wounds to the leg and taken to jail.
"I'm just glad that my staff wasn't here. An hour earlier and they could have been closing up, and if he was, didn't use his brain that much. He could have easily come during open hours," said Hungry Howie's General Manager Robin Angle.
"He told the detective, 'I don't know what happened. I was just there to get my pizza, and the next thing I know I was dog bit.' Are you kidding me?" said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Deputies said Pelligrini also tried to break into a Chinese restaurant in the same area.
Pelligrini is charged with two counts of burglary, and battery on a law enforcement canine.
Courtesy WFLA via NBC News Channel
