A 20-year-old Humble man is facing three felony charges after a Humble Police Department K-9 bit him during his arrest at the Township Apartments on September 1, and he says he was already being detained when the dog was released. Christopher Cevilla denies any wrongdoing and says he does not know why the K-9 officer let the animal go.
Cevilla is charged with assaulting an officer, retaliation, and interference with a police service animal, according to FOX 26 Houston, which spoke with Cevilla directly about the incident. Police court filings reported by the station describe the retaliation charge as stemming from an alleged threat to kill an officer, while the K-9 interference charge alleges Cevilla grabbed and pushed the dog's head, according to FOX 26 Houston's reporting on the police filings.
The incident began as an argument between Cevilla and his brother and sister at the Township Apartments in Humble, and family members recorded parts of the encounter on their phones. Video shown by the station's report captured Cevilla being bitten by the K-9. Cevilla told the outlet he was in fear while being confronted by police and the dog, and that he has a significant fear of dogs.
Family Disputes How the Confrontation Turned Physical
Cevilla's father told the station that the physical contact started when a responding officer attempted to tackle Cevilla, tripped, and then tried to grab the younger man to regain his balance while Cevilla was standing still — a version of events that conflicts with the police allegation that Cevilla threatened and assaulted the officer. Cevilla's sister, Heather, told the same outlet that officers deployed the K-9 despite family warnings that Cevilla was unarmed, and that when the handler tried to pull the dog back, the animal clamped down tighter on him.
Cevilla says he was already being detained when the dog was released and maintains he does not wish ill will on the officers involved. His attorneys hope to get the charges dismissed, per the station's report.
Bond, Charges, and Possible Prison Time
Cevilla was held in custody on a $50,000 bond following his arrest. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.01, assaulting a public servant lawfully discharging official duties is a third-degree felony carrying two to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to Varghese Summersett. The retaliation charge under Texas Penal Code § 36.06 is likewise a third-degree felony with the same two-to-ten-year range, according to L&L Law Group.
The interference charge concerns the alleged contact with the police service animal. Separately, Texas Health and Safety Code § 826.048 exempts police service animals from the standard 10-day rabies quarantine after biting a human unless the animal shows abnormal behavior, according to the Texas Constitution and Statutes.
Internal Affairs Investigation Underway
The Humble Police Department has an ongoing internal affairs investigation into the incident. A department lieutenant said the investigation prevents further comment, and FOX 26 Houston said it reached out to the department for comment as well.
Cevilla disputes the officer's decision to release the K-9, saying he was already being detained.
No court dates or additional evidence releases have been reported. Whether body camera or phone video captured during the arrest becomes part of upcoming bond or dismissal hearings in Harris County remains to be seen.
