A dog is man’s best friend but not necessarily his car’s. A now famous pit bull mix wasn’t taking a bite out of crime when he tore parts off the front of a police car and gnawed holes in its tires has been sentenced to obedience training.

The tough mutt, appropriately named Winston. mauled a Chattanooga police car and has become something of a celebrity on news programs and the internet. The persistent pooch managed to tear off sections of the front bumper and damage the front tires.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that a judge ruled that Winston had been a very bad dog. He was sentenced to obedience and canine good citizen classes, and he'll have to wear a tag that says he is "potentially dangerous."

Winston's owners said the pup had never caused any trouble before, and that something in particular must have set him off. But police gave them a citation for having a "potentially-dangerous dog."

Charges against Winston’s owner will be dismissed if the classes are completed successfully.

Owner Nancy Emerling said Winston got out of a fenced-in area at a welding shop and took an instant dislike to a Chattanooga PD’s Ford patrol car. The patrolman in the car showed restraint and a sense of humor saying he didn’t want to hurt Winston.

For his part Winston isn’t talking and there is no word if a dog trainer has been found to match guts with the 45 pound car wrecker. No bail was required for Winston and he has been released to custody of his owner – one benefit is nobody in their right mind will try to pilfer the welding shop - unless you're in a Abrams battle tank.