Lawyer Jim Hardin says barking may not be seen as intelligent speech but is "still speech." He questions the validity of a city law that bars taunting police dogs. A police officer investigating a car crash at a pub on April 3 reported he heard the dog barking uncontrollably.

The officer said he found Stephens making barking noises and hissing at a dog inside the police car. The officer's report quoted Stephens as saying "the dog started it" and said the man appeared highly intoxicated.