Police dog attack suspect charged

A number of cars were set alight in the Bilston area of Wolverhampton in the early hours of Friday

A man detained by police investigating a series of arson attacks and the assault of a police dog has been charged with animal cruelty.

Lee Potts was arrested on Friday after the incidents in the Bilston area of Wolverhampton.

The 39-year-old, who appeared before Wolverhampton magistrates on Saturday, is also accused of public order offences and having a dog dangerously out of control, West Midlands Police said.

Mr Potts, of Hawkins Place, Bilston, was remanded in custody after the hearing and is due to appear at the same court again on Monday.

Investigations began at about 03:30 BST on Friday after a small fire was started at the Horse and Jockey pub on Church Street, Bilston.

A short time later several vehicles were either set alight or damaged by fire along Union Street, Bell Street and Greencroft.

PD Snow, one of the force's dogs, was later attacked but was not injured.

Inquiries into the fires are continuing, and witnesses are urged to contact the force.