Police officers injured, attacked by dog during incident response, according to police

An Upper Moreland Township police officer was injured while responding to a incident at a Willow Grove residence, according to authorities.

Michael Charles Cooper Jr., 37, (no listed address), is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault stemming from the incident.

Officers from the Upper Moreland Township Police Department were dispatched at approximately 11:48 a.m. on Feb. 24 to a home in the 2400 block of Broadway Avenue in Upper Moreland Township following reports of a man making threats and refusing to leave the property.

Police said officers met with the caller, who reported that Cooper Jr. had been behaving erratically, making threatening statements, and was not taking prescribed medication following a recent hospitalization. The caller also expressed concern that Cooper might become violent toward responding officers and requested a psychiatric evaluation.

According to investigators, officers attempted to speak with Cooper, who was inside a garage on the property. Police allege Cooper shouted profanities and threats toward officers and repeatedly challenged them while refusing requests to cooperate.

Authorities said Cooper later exited the garage in an aggressive manner, approached an officer, and allegedly grabbed the officer’s arm after being told multiple times not to make contact. Officers then informed him he was under arrest, but police say he refused commands to get on the ground.

During the confrontation, officers deployed a department-issued Taser, which investigators said was ineffective. Police reported that Cooper retreated into the garage, continued acting aggressively, and encouraged two pit bull terriers inside the garage to attack officers as they attempted to take him into custody.

Officials said a struggle followed, during which one of the dogs bit an officer’s protective vest and the officer sustained a laceration to his ear. The injury required emergency medical treatment and several stitches.

Additional officers responded to assist, and Cooper was eventually taken into custody. Detectives later interviewed the caller, who told police the defendant had not been provoked and allegedly attacked officers without cause.

Cooper Jr. was not able to post bail, which was set at $50,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Thomas P. Murt.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.