A man who tangled with a police dog in Prince Albert following a wild car chase is facing a number of charges, including animal cruelty. Police say he was nude at the time of the encounter.

The bizarre episode took place early Tuesday, around 2:30 a.m. CST, when police were dispatched to an area known as Little Red Park to deal with what was described as a family dispute.

When officers arrived there they were told a man, under the influence of drugs, had taken off in a Honda Civic.

Patrol units spotted the suspect and tried to stop him, but the driver took off and made a number of dangerous moves to avoid police.

The suspect then tried to drive out of town but, due to excessive speed, lost control of the car and hit a ditch.

The man inside jumped out and started running, naked, away from pursuing officers.

A K-9 unit was on the scene and the police dog was able to track down the suspect.

But during that encounter police said there was a struggle and police say their dog was assaulted.

"He did receive injuries," Sgt. Brandon Mudry, a spokesman for the Prince Albert police, told CBC News. "As I understand it, he received a bite and was punched."

Mudry added that the police dog, Jagger, was OK.

The suspect was finally arrested, taken to hospital to be examined, and then charged.

Police said a 20-year-old man will be in court on charges of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failing to stop for police, resist arrest and cruelty to animals.