A B.C. man who was bitten by a police service dog four-and-a-half years ago has been awarded $60,000.

In a decision last week, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Michael Thomas said an RCMP officer and dog handler's "intentions were good," but he made an error when he released the dog too quickly.

Police were called to the man's house for a domestic dispute. He was charged with assault causing bodily harm, mischief and threatening to harm an animal — his partner's cat, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS).

But "after receiving new information," Crown counsel concluded that the charge approval standard was no longer met and entered a stay of proceedings.