Raiders player could be charged for barking at police dog

An Oakland Raiders player could be facing felony charges for allegedly taunting a bomb-sniffing dog prior to the team’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, a Pennsylvania sheriff’s official said Tuesday.

As the team was heading from the locker room to the field at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a player identified by the San Francisco Chronicle as Ray-Ray Armstrong allegedly lifted his shirt up, pounded his chest and barked at the dog, Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said:

“Based on his conduct there was an immediate and direct response from the dog to the player.”

The sheriff’s office typically has dogs on hand for football games to check vehicles, bags and packages for bombs, he said.

The sheriff’s office has met with the district attorney’s office, but hasn’t decided whether to pursue criminal charges. Taunting a police dog is a third-degree felony in Pennsylvania, Kraus said.

The sheriff’s office would not officially release the name of the player unless he is charged, Kraus said.

The Raiders went on to lose the game 38-35.