Police drop battery charge against Bulls mascot

HELENA, Mont. -- Charges against the Chicago Bulls' mascot for allegedly attacking an off-duty police officer during an outdoor festival in Chicago have been dropped.

Bulls officials said charges of misdemeanor battery and driving within a parkway were dropped against Barry Anderson, the Benny the Bull mascot. Police said Anderson, in his bright red bull costume, threw a punch at a sheriff's deputy on July 2, knocking off his glasses and breaking his watch.

Police said the off-duty officer, who was working security, tried to stop the mascot for riding a mini-motorcycle thorough the Taste of Chicago festival without a permit. The officer tried to stop him and Anderson ran, police said. The officer chased and caught him.

The charges were dropped last Friday, the day the case was scheduled to go to trial, Bulls spokeswoman Christine Cronin said.

Anderson, a native of Miles City, Mont., is preparing for his third season as Benny the Bull. He previously worked as the University of Montana's Monte mascot, winning the National Mascot of the Year award in 2002.