An Army veteran who allegedly broke into an RSPCA shelter to take back his dog later assaulted officials who went to his home looking for the animal, a court has heard.
Shane Van Duren, 41, from Canberra, broke into the RSPCA centre in Weston on Tuesday to claim his black Belgian shepherd Denzel, the court was told.
The dog, which he uses as an assistance animal for post-traumatic stress disorder, had been removed from his care due to neglect concerns.
He allegedly cut through three fences to get to the dog.
On Wednesday, police and an RSPCA inspector went to Van Duren's home in Deakin where they found the animal.
Van Duren allegedly refused to hand over the animal and ran out of the back door with the dog.
"You're not getting the dog," he told them, according to court documents.
When police tried to arrest him, Van Duren allegedly punched Constable Daniel Neit twice in the jaw, after which the pair wrestled on the ground.
RSPCA senior inspector Catherine Croatto then stepped in, but Van Duren allegedly put his arm around her neck and put her in a choke hold, saying he would kill her.
"I'm going to fucking kill you," he said.
"You're dead bitch ... dead inside a year."
Outburst an 'explosive loss of self control'
The prosecutor said Ms Croatto's face "turned dark red".
Another police officer tried unsuccessfully to subdue Van Duren with spray, before using a baton on his lower leg.
Van Duren has been charged with trespass, damaging Commonwealth property, making a threats to kill, attempting to escape and two counts of assault.
The court heard he served in the Australian Army until 2001, and that he now used the dog to help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Van Duren's lawyer said his client thought the dog was lost and he did not know the RSPCA had taken it.
Something is wrong for this man to act with so much aggression.
Magistrate Beth Campbell
But the prosecutor said a letter from the RSPCA had been sent to him, saying Denzel had been seized.
The prosecutor said Van Duren was on the RSPCA's radar after his last dog was put down due to neglect.
Magistrate Beth Campbell described Van Duren's alleged actions as an "explosive loss of self control".
"Something is wrong for this man to act with so much aggression," she said.
Magistrate Campbell refused to grant him bail, finding there was a need to protect the safety of RSCPA staff.
She also asked for a forensic mental health report.
Van Duren will appear in court again in February.
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