An altercation yesterday turned bloody for a suspect in western Cumberland County.

According to the arrest report, the incident first started when individuals illegally set up camp on land on the 800 block of Browntown Road. They were told to leave two weeks prior by the property owner.

Deputies checked two small tents nearby and proceeded to a third larger tent. Upon looking into the front screen, an officer saw 44-year-old Michael Chet Parker, listed as homeless, laying down mostly covered with a blanket. Upon greeting Parker, a large dog appeared from inside the tent at the screen barking continuously at the deputy. The officer drew his taser if needed because of the canines behavior in preparation to enter the tent. Parker was asked to exit it but was moving items around inside. The deputy advised Parker he was coming in and to get his dog under control or it would be possibly tased.

After a few moments, the officer unzipped a portion of the screen and began to remove Parker. The dog moved aggressively towards the deputy resulting in the taser being deployed on two 5 second bursts causing minimal injury to the canine.

Parker was taken out of the tent and the dog once again advanced towards the officer in an aggressive nature. The taser was activated and this time Parker was stunned as a secondary effect got the deputy who was in a struggle to arrest Parker.

The dog temporarily backed off then attacked Parker biting him in the face and arm. Once the canine stopped, the physical struggle resumed between Parker and the officer. The dog eventually retreated into the tent where the screen was closed.

The property owner on scene asked Parker to obey the commands of law enforcement and the suspect was taken into custody. Medics were called in to treat Parker and to see about the deputy who had a “generous amount” of blood on him from the altercation.

A search of the tent revealed a fully loaded 9mm Glock handgun behind where Parker was at the time the officer encountered him. The report indicated the firearm was well within reach of Parker when he was moving items around in the tent prior to being removed from it. Two additional loaded magazines for the weapon and two folding knives were found.

The dog was removed from the scene by animal control.

Parker was treated for his injuries at Cumberland Medical Center then arrested immediately upon his release from the emergency room. He was charged with assault on a first responder, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.