A Coffs Harbour City Council ute suffered significant damage in an incident in the surf at Sawtell beach earlier this week.

On Tuesday morning two rangers responded to reports of a man in the surf with a dog at Murrays Beach.

Police say there had been a series of complaints recently about unleashed dogs on the beach.

The rangers drove their four-wheel-drive onto the sand, and while talking to the man it became swamped by waves in the incoming tidal push.

Police were also called and while speaking to the 50 year old dog owner, a 44 year old Sawtell man allegedly became aggressive toward them.

He has now been charged with hindering, harassing and assaulting police and resisting arrest, and will face court on June 22.

The council is in talks with its insurer about the saltwater damage to the vehicle.

Police investigations into the incident are also continuing.