A former soldier accused of assaulting police and an RSPCA inspector after an attempt to free his companion dog from an animal shelter has been charged with choking. Shane Van Duren, 41, allegedly broke into the RSPCA's Weston Creek premises to get to his Belgian shepherd in December.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of property damage, trespass, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, resisting arrest, and making threats to kill relating to the incident.
Van Duren was back in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he was also formally charged with choking an RSPCA inspector.
He did not enter a plea to the fresh charge.
A previous court hearing heard the dog was used as a companion animal to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder.
The animal had been picked up after it was found wandering the streets by a member of the public. The defendant posted that he had "sprung" the dog on social media shortly after the alleged break-in.
Police and an RSPCA inspector attended Van Duren's home the next day.
He allegedly refused to hand over the animal before he punched a police officer and allegedly choked the RSPCA inspector when she tried to intervene.
Van Duren was subdued by capsicum spray and batons.
He allegedly yelled at the inspector: "I'll kill you, you bitch. You're f---ing dead bitch."
Van Duren was released on bail in February on conditions including that he not leave home unless in the company of a Soldier On representative, that he stay away from the Weston Creek shelter, and that he not harass, threaten or intimidate the inspector he was accused of assaulting.
His lawyer was granted a request for those conditions to be varied to allow Van Duren to attend a St Johns Ambulance first aid course in Deakin on Tuesday.
Magistrate Peter Morrison ordered a hearing date for the case be set next time it was before the court, unless other arrangements were made with the prosecution in relation to the charges against the accused before then.
He said Van Duren would also need to enter a plea to the fresh charge on that occasion.
The matter will return to court on May 11.
