DUI suspect arrested after police dog beating

A Missouri man faces criminal charges after driving drunk in a stolen vehicle, fighting with a deputy and beating a police dog with a rock in northern Arizona, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office.

The incident began Thursday when the deputy responded to calls that a van was being driven recklessly through the Virgin River Gorge on Interstate 15.

Agency spokeswoman Trish Carter said a traffic stop was conducted at 4:16 p.m. after deputies observed the van cutting off other vehicles and speeding at 90 mph through a 55 mph zone. Carter said a struggle ensued when the driver, Carl Eaves, 50, resisted arrest, kicked a deputy in the chest and fled into the desert.

The deputy's K-9 partner, "Ecko," pursued Eaves toward the Virgin River. She said Eaves struck the police dog in the head several times with a rock.

Carter said the dog was treated by a veterinarian and that it took several stitches to close up the wound.

Eaves was treated at a Mesquite hospital for dog bites.

Eaves was booked into jail for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, escape, animal cruelty, theft of means of transportation, reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Carter said a 19-year-old male in the van was intoxicated.