Police use Taser on man fighting fire

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A Florida man said police shot him with a Taser dart for using a garden hose to attempt to fight a fire in his neighbor's home.

Dan Jensen, 42, said he initially complied with Pinellas Park police when they told him to get back from the burning house Thursday, but he returned with the garden hose when he became frustrated with how long it was taking firefighters to arrive, the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times reported Tuesday.

Jensen said he heard an officer tell another to "take him down" with a Taser and he then felt the jolt of electricity from the device.

Police said Jensen could have been charged with obstruction, but officials decided against it.

Jensen's attorney, Heidi Imhof, said police used "excessive force" in firing the Taser dart.

"They can't just Taser anyone," she said. "He's an unarmed person on his private property trying to fight a fire."