A 39-year-old Newark man unleashed his pitbull Thursday and tried to sic the dog on police inside a home where more than $9,000-worth of drugs were later found, authorities said.

“Get ‘em,” Shawn Williams said after shouting an expletive, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office recounted in a release.

The pitbull charged towards the team of detectives, authorities said. A Newark cop, who is a member of Essex County Sheriff’s Office narcotics bureau’s tactical response team, fired their gun and struck the animal, police said.

The dog, although struck, was able to run away. Cops later caught up with the pitbull and took it to a local animal hospital, where authorities say it was treated for its injuries.

The chaotic scene started Thursday evening when sheriff’s officers from the narcotics bureau conducted a raid at 25 Chelsea Avenue in Newark. Authorities said they received information about a potential narcotics operation in the area.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said Shareem Williams, 26, of Newark, put 34 grams - or about .07 pounds - of marijuana in his jacket pocket. He was placed under arrest, Fontoura said.

Authorities say Shawn Williams was watching the arrest from the front steps of the home while holding the pitbull on a leash. Shareem and Shawn Williams are not related, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

“Detectives requested that Shawn Williams secure the dog, remain put and show both hands to the officers,” Fontoura said. “Rather than adhere to the orders, Shawn Williams attempted to lock himself inside of the residence. Our officers approached the door, picked the lock and closely followed him.”

Officers again requested that Shawn Williams secure the dog, remain put and show both hands. Police say he failed to do so, and instead unleashed the dog. The man was arrested once the dog ran off.

More than $9,000 worth of marijuana, heroin, cocaine and painkillers were found inside the home, Fontoura said. Narcotics-producing paraphernalia and suspected drug money were also found, police say.

Shareem Williams faces charges including drug and paraphernalia possession and drug distribution on or around school property. Shawn Williams faces charges that include resisting arrest, drug possession and tampering with evidence.

The use of the pitbull is also being considered as a weapon since Shawn Williams faces possession of a weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

It was unclear where the dog was staying after it was treated for injuries.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.