Police in Ohio said a man was charged with a misdemeanor count of teasing a police dog after he was spotted making barking sounds at the canine.

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Mason Police said Officer Bradley Walker was investigating a car crash outside the Mason Pub at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday when he heard the police dog in the back seat of his car "barking uncontrollably" in response to Ryan Stephens, 25, "making barking noises" and "hissing" at the animal, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

Walker said Stephens began to walk away from the scene and ignored commands to stop. He said he caught up with the suspect and asked him why he was harassing the canine.

"The dog started it," Stephens allegedly replied.

Stephens, who Walker said appeared "highly intoxicated," was released to a bar employee who promised to drive him home. He was ordered to appear in court April 21 to face a charge of teasing a police dog.