Boy 'used as shield' against police dog

The father of a 10-year-old boy allegedly tried to use him as a human shield against a police dog.

Police had been looking for the man, who they wanted to talk to about a number of burglaries in Taupo, and caught up with him near Cambridge yesterday afternoon.

Officers set the dog on him, not knowing his son was present.

Constable Mike Henderson said the man put the child between himself and the animal, perhaps thinking that the dog would not attack the boy.

However, he was bitten on the leg. Constable Henderson said the man was also carrying a bucket full of cannabis, which he used to attack the dog.

It is alleged the man was high on the drug P at the time and was unable to be interviewed by police.

He appeared in the Hamilton District Court today and was remanded on custody until Monday.

The boy is in the custody of a relative.

- NEWSTALK ZB