Antonio Morrison, linebacker for the Florida Gators, was arrested for the second time in five weeks. This time, he allegedly barked at a police dog and resisted arrest.
Morrison, 19, defended himself, saying the dog barked first.
Police were responding to a disturbance at a Gainesville hotel and connected nightclub and began to search a car on the premises. One of the men in a group passing by, later determined to be Morrison, began to bark at the dog in the squad car, which distracted the police officer from the search.
Police officer William A. Arnold said he told Morrison to wait by the front of the patrol car. Morrison later resisted when Arnold went to handcuff him. Two other officers arrived to help detain Morrison.
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"I'm extremely disappointed in Antonio Morrison's decision making," Florida coach Will Muschamp said in a statement. "He has been suspended from the team and will miss at least two games to begin the season."
Morrison was expected to be Florida's starting linebacker this season. He told the police officers that he barked at the dog because the dog barked at him first.
Last month, Morrison was arrested for battery after punching a nightclub bouncer for not giving him a discount on the cover charge. At the time of that arrest, Muschamp said he had not decided whether to suspend him.
The battery charge may be dismissed through a deferral if Morrison pays $100 in prosecution costs and an additional $150 or 12 hours of community service.
Morrison would also have to undergo a University of Florida drug and alcohol abuse course, attend an anger management course and participate in two eight-hour ride-alongs with the University police department within six months.
If Morrison faces charges for his barking arrest, he could spend time in jail.
"My office will look into this as expeditiously as possible,'' said state attorney Bill Cervone. "If there is a crime involved then the previous deferral is subject to revocation. If not then that will not likely happen unless there is some other material breech.''
