THIS is the courageous police dog that chased a criminal through an alleyway before it was brutally assaulted.

Caesar the Dutch Shepherd pursued Martin Sama, 29, who then attacked the dog and bit its handler. 

It came after police constable Christopher Bushnell spotted a shredded back tyre on a Lexus, being driven by Sama.

The officer pursued Sama, who drove through two red lights and swerved across multiple lanes, Reading magistrates heard.

The court heard how Sama then jumped out of the out of the moving car on Burghfield Way and sprinted down an alley.

The prompted the policeman to release Caeser.

Sama was convicted of a string of crimes by a district judge and told to prepare for jail.

Giving evidence at Reading Magistrates Court on March 17, PC Bushnell said: “Caesar chased the male down the alley way and I followed.

“I heard the male scream. Caesar had bit him in the buttock. The man was lashing out and swinging Caesar's body. The man was striking the dog.

“Caesar released his grip and dropped off.”

Aware that Caesar, who had been working with him for nearly four years, could be in trouble, PC Bushnell called for backup and swung a punch at Sama.

Sama bit the policeman's fingers whilst he was being restrained, the court heard.

When more officers arrived minutes later they found Sama to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis and a 20-inch machete.

Limping Caesar was taken to a vets in Newbury the following day and had to take four days off the beat.

Despite admitting he was driving the car on January 19, Sama denied the drugs were his.

“That cannabis was found in a cigarette packet on the alley floor,” he told District Judge Susan Cooper.

“It had nothing to do with me.”

He also claimed the machete was brought into the car by a mystery man he was giving a lift to and whose name he did not know, and that he did not hit the dog or bite PC Bushnell.

He continued: “I did not strike the dog at all. I wouldn't do that to a dog.

“I also didn't bite the officers fingers. I was beaten so badly I even lost my shoes.”

However Judge Cooper was not convinced by Sama, who has previous dangerous driving and drug convictions.

The judge added: “It seems ludicrous to suggest the cigarette packet wasn't on you.

“Two officers could see it was. I also believe you were travelling at speed.

“You have come to court today and told many lies.”

Sama, of Lorne Street, Reading, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, assaulting a constable, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing cannabis, driving dangerously and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He will be sentenced on March 31.