A Pottawattamie County man faces numerous charges after Council Bluffs Police responded to a report of an armed man who had stabbed a dog. Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of  S. 18th Street, where they learned a neighbor’s dog had gotten loose and attacked the dogs at 1731 8th Avenue. The owner of the dogs being attacked, 52-year old James R. Herman, of Council Bluffs, attempted to stop the attack on his dogs by striking the attacking dog with his fists. When the effort failed, he produced a knife and stabbed the attacking dog several times. The owner of the attacking dog was then able to get control of his animal. Herman, who suffered a minor laceration to his hand during the attack, then allegedly made threats to stab the owner of the dog.

James R. Herman

Officers made contact with Herman to discuss the incident, and during their investigation discovered a marijuana growing operation in his home, as well as several items of drug paraphernalia. Detectives from the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Fore were contacted and took over the investigation. A search warrant was applied for and granted, for Herman’s residence. During the search, several marijuana plants in various stages of growth, as well as miscellaneous items of drug paraphernalia, were located and seized into evidence.

James R. Herman was arrested and booked into the Pott. County Jail, on charges that include: Manufacturing marijuana (A Class D felony); Harassment in the 1st Degree; Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana, for personal use; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Council Bluffs Animal Control arrived on the scene and took control of Herman’s dogs, who suffered only minor injuries during the attack. The other dog was transported by its owner to an emergency veterinary clinic for treatment. A report on its condition was not available.