The Spring Hill man bit his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in the eye, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

HERNANDO COUNTY – A Spring Hill man was arrested early this morning (Dec. 27) after a police dog tracked him down and bit him, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

Ryan Lee Bennett, 41, of Spring Hill, was taken to Oak Hill Hospital by Hernando County Fire Rescue where he was treated for the dog bite. After he was released from the hospital, he was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center where he was charged with one count each of aggravated assault, battery, and possession of marijuana. The marijuana was found where Bennett was hiding, deputies said.

Hernando County deputies said they were called to an address on River Road about 2 a.m. after callers reported a man was being attacked with a metal wand from a pressure washer.

When deputies arrived, they were told that Bennett had come to the residence to talk with his ex-girlfriend, Robyn Dematteo. Dematteo went outside to try to get Bennett to leave as she had done several times earlier in the day. During this time, Bennett was becoming more and more irrational.

After a few minutes, Dematteo’s new boyfriend, Clifford Garrow, went outside to check on her. Deputies said Bennett picked up something, later determined to be the metal wand from a pressure washer, and began swinging it at Garrow.

Garrow told deputies that it was so dark, he was unable to see what type of object Bennett was swinging at him, putting him in fear for his life. Garrow knocked the metal wand out of Bennett’s hand, and a struggle ensued. Deputies said Garrow put Bennett in a bear hug to subdue him. During this time, deputies said, Bennett bit Garrow on the left eye. Afraid that he would be bitten again, Garrow said he let go of Bennett.

Bennett fled when he realized law enforcement had been called.

Deputy Jeff Andrews deployed K-9 Valor to hunt for Bennett. Valor quickly located Bennett, who hiding in the back yard of an adjacent house. Deputies said Bennett refused to comply with lawful commands so Valor engaged Bennett biting him in his left forearm.

Photo of Deputy Jeff Andrews and K-9 Valor courtesy of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Hernando Sheriff | Crime | Battery | Arrests | Jeff Andrews | K-9 Valor | Tampabay News

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