Kevin Michael Walsh was playing the part of Frosty the Showman in the parade in Chestertown on Saturday morning when he allegedly kicked at the dog, named Henzo.
The dog is thought to have been sitting at an intersection with its handler as part of traffic control during the event.
Henzo's handler, James Walker, claims the situation 'got heated' as he escorted Walsh away from the crowd, and that Walsh hit him in the face with the head portion of his Frosty the Snowman costume as he removed it.
According to reports, Walsh could be heard over the noise of the parade during the confrontation as he shouted: 'You have no right to arrest me.'
He allegedly pushed a second police officer as they tried to manoeuvre him into a patrol car.
Walsh has told The Associated Press that he was wrongfully arrested after a police officer hassled him over a remark he directed at the dog, and that he only became agitated when he was handcuffed.
He also pointed out that he has participated in the parade dressed as Frosty for at least ten years.
story from www.metro.co.uk/
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