Charges filed in case of Northland police dog shooting

Charges have been filed in relation to the shooting of a police dog earlier this month in rural Northland.

Police had earlier said the accused was being chased through a paddock in Tangowahine when he allegedly fired on the dog - and was shot three times by officers.

The alleged offender was airlifted to Auckland City Hospital, while the dog was transported separately to Unitec in Mt Albert for specialist veterinary treatment.

Northland District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill confirmed charges were filed today in the Auckland District Court.

A 30-year-old man has been accused of using a firearm against a law enforcement officer on December 1, injuring a police dog, and unlawful possession of a .357 magnum pistol and ammunition.

The most serious charge - discharging a firearm against a police officer - carries a maximum possible penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.

Wounding a police dog carries a maximum possible penalty under the Policing Act 2008 of two years' imprisonment and/or a fine of $15,000.

Hill said court proceedings today would be "administrative only" as the man is unable to appear in person to answer the charges.

The man has been granted interim name suppression and will next appear in the Whangārei District Court in February next year.

The police dog injured on December 1. Photo / Supplied

The dog is understood to still be at the vets and is doing well but still has a long road to recovery.