Attacks put two police dogs in surgery

Two Auckland police dogs have had surgery in the past week after being attacked on the job by other dogs.

Three-year-old german shepherd Stone was being trained by his handler in Mangere yesterday morning when he was attacked by a dog which escaped from its owner.

The officer in charge of the Auckland dog section, Senior Sergeant Pete Pedersen, said Stone's handler tried to pull the dogs apart.

The owner of the attacking dog also arrived and helped the handler. It is understood the attacking dog was being dealt with by animal control.

Mr Pedersen said Stone suffered serious injuries, including damage to his muscle tissue and significant cuts to his body.

He was undergoing surgery for his wounds yesterday afternoon and was expected to be off work for up to 10 days.

Stone is the second member of the Auckland dog section, which has about 35 dogs and 31 handlers, to be attacked in the past week.

Mr Pedersen said another german shepherd called Rogue was returning from tracking a wanted person on Thursday night when he was set upon by two other dogs.

Rogue was on a lead and being walked back to his van by his handler when the dogs appeared and launched an unprovoked attack.

The handler managed to separate the dogs and Rogue was taken away for medical treatment for "fairly significant injuries".

He is now resting with six stitches above one eye and is expected to remain off work for up to another week.

Mr Pedersen said both attacks occurred in public places and were another reminder about the importance of people looking after their pets.

He urged dog owners to make sure their animals were well socialised at a young age and well restrained or confined in their own properties.

Mr Pedersen said the offending dogs in both cases appeared to be bull terrier crosses and he believes it would not be the first time they had attacked other animals.

"It mean we are down two capable young teams. It's not ideal and its not good for the welfare of the dogs."

Mr Pedersen said Stone and Rogue were relatively young police dogs. They both had "bright futures" and would hopefully make a full recovery.

* Hastings police dog Edge has just returned to work after being stabbed two months ago by a man who threatened to kill himself with a knife.