About 5.15pm on Monday, May 18 police from Monaro Local Area Command responded to reports of a loud argument and several shots allegedly fired, at a property on Narrowness Road.

Police secured the area and requested the assistance of specialist police to attend. About 8.30pm, a 47-year-old man was seen to leave the property in a vehicle.

A short time later, police stopped the vehicle and placed the man under arrest.

As he was being arrested, a pit bull terrier in the man’s vehicle attacked police.

Officers were forced to discharge their firearms to defend themselves from the animal. The dog is not believed to be injured and ran off into the bush.

A search of the man and the vehicle allegedly located a large calibre rifle, ammunition, a hunting knife and other items. A further search of the property also allegedly located another firearm.

The man was taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with eight offences:

- possess unregistered firearm (x2);

- possess ammunition without holding licence;

- custody of knife in public place;

- drive motor vehicle while licence suspended;

- use unregistered motor vehicle;

- use uninsured motor vehicle;

- owner of dog which attacks person.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Cooma Local Court on May 19.