Snow Shovel-Wielding Joliet Man Clubbed Dog Walker: Cops

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet man taunted a dog and then swung a snow shovel at the head of the guy walking it, police said.

Kevin Breitbarth, 57, explained to the cops that he was afraid the dog was going to bite him on his bad leg, police said, but after making his case he allegedly struggled with officers and pushed one of them.

The 39-year-old dog walker reportedly told the law he was minding his own business when Breitbarth came out of his North Center Street apartment and — “for some reason” — glared at the pooch and taunted it, prompting it to bark about 9:15 p.m. Thursday.

The dog walker told Breitbarth to cut it out, police said, and the two men started arguing. Breitbarth then allegedly went back into his apartment building, grabbed a snow shovel from a common area and came out swinging.

Breitbarth aimed his shovel at the dog walker’s head but missed, police said, only getting the man in the wrist. The blow did reportedly open up a cut on the man’s wrist.

Breitbarth retreated into his apartment before the cops arrived and refused to come out, police said. He eventually emerged and that was when he allegedly struggled with the officer and pushed him.

A 31-year-old woman witnessed the attack on the dog walker, police said.

Breitbarth was taken to the Will County jail.