New South Wales police have charged a man over his attempt to bite a police dog while being arrested in the Illawarra region on the weekend.

The 31-year-old is accused of trying to bite the dog, named Dexter, on the neck on Saturday at about 11pm (AEDT).

Dexter retaliated by biting the man on his arm.

Police say the incident happened when they were called to the man's house after reports of an apprehended violence order (AVO) breach.

A police vehicle was also damaged in the melee.

The suspect was treated at Lake Illawarra Police Station by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he refused further treatment.

The man was then taken back to the police station and charged, before finally going back to the hospital for stitches on his arm.

He will face Wollongong Local Court today on a number of charges including animal cruelty, having a prescribed restricted substance and breaching an AVO.