DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines metro man already in legal trouble for allegedly breaking into an animal shelter to steal back his surrendered dog and shooting at police in Cedar Rapids has racked up more charges after attempting to escape from custody.

Christopher Kern, 49, was being transported back to the Linn County Correctional Center on Tuesday following a dental procedure in Cedar Rapids when the Linn County Sheriff’s Office said he assaulted a deputy. Kern was in restraints at the time, and a deputy was escorting him out of the dentist’s office when the alleged assault took place.

The deputy was knocked to the ground, and a struggle between Kern, two deputies, and a civilian bystander ensued. The deputies radioed for help in physically restraining Kern and more deputies, as well as police officers from Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids, arrived to assist.

Kern was transported back to the jail and is now charged with assault on persons in certain occupations with injury, interference with official acts, and attempted escape in the incident.

Kern has had a busy 2025. The Des Moines Police Department said in February, Kern broke into the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and stole his dog back. The dog had been surrendered to the ARL after police discovered the dog had been shot on January 31st.

DMPD’s investigators learned he was traveling to Cedar Rapids, and they notified area law enforcement agencies on February 19th. That same day, officers with the Cedar Rapids Police Department located Kern, and police said he fired on officers who attempted to arrest him. Officers fired back. After a lengthy negotiation, Kern was taken into custody.

In that incident, Kern was charged with three counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, two counts of intimidation with a dangerous weapon with injury, three counts of assault on persons in certain occupations-displaying a firearm, three counts of interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, assault going armed with intent, three counts of dominion and control of a firearm, and use of a dangerous weapon in commission of a crime.

Online court records show a plea hearing in that case has been scheduled for April 4th.