Dogs attack police team during hunt for burglar

Photo / APN

A police officer and his dog needed medical treatment yesterday after being attacked by neighbourhood dogs while looking for two burglars.

The officer suffered a sliced wrist and Quake, the police dog, will be off duty for about two weeks with puncture wounds.

After a burglary in the Auckland suburb of Mt Wellington late yesterday afternoon, the pair were helpingto track down two burglars whowere seen running away from the house.

While rushing through a property, Quake was attacked by a dog from a nearby house, then set upon by another dog from the neighbourhood.

Inspector Lou Alofa, of the police northern communications centre, said Quake's handler, who was still attached by a lead to his dog, fought to get the two dogs off Quake.

"The handler took a while to try and free his dog from the other dogs and as a result he's got a deep cut to his wrist," Mr Alofa said.

"The police dog had to be taken to a vet because he suffered puncture holes to his body."

Mr Alofa said the police officer was taken to Ascot Hospital in Greenlane, where he was given medical treatment. Quake was rushed to a vet in Remuera with injuries which were described as "fairly serious".