Santa Rosa police sic dog on man with an unloaded shotgun

A Santa Rosa police dog named Riko bit an armed 21-year-old in the leg Tuesday after the man refused to leave his vehicle, police said.

Luis Ramon Estrada was hospitalized for the bite and later booked in Sonoma County Jail for misdemeanor obstructing or resisting an officer, police said in a statement.

The incident began when Santa Rosa police received a call before 6 p.m. that a man with a firearm and a woman were arguing in the 2300 block of Corby Avenue, police said, but when officers arrived the two were no longer in the area.

About 8:30 p.m. police said they received a call that Estrada had returned to the area. Officers found a white sedan matching the witness' description and saw Estrada, who appeared to be passed out in the driver's seat, police said.

He was awakened by police but refused to exit the car, police said. Fearing Estrada was armed police sent Riko after him. Officers found an unloaded shotgun in the car's back seat after Estrada was taken into custody, police said.

You can reach Staff Writer Nick Rahaim at 707-521-5203 or nick.rahaim@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @nrahaim.