Police dog sinks teeth into innocent man

A police dog and its handler have been withdrawn from duty after an attack left a Tauranga man with more than 20 stitches to his leg.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident outside a house when the home owner crossed the path of a dog that was tracking three people fleeing from police.

Fifth Ave resident Rob Terry, 54, was knocked to the ground by the police dog, which sank its teeth into his right calf muscle.

Mr Terry had stepped outside his house after his wife heard crashing noises as several men climbed on to the roof of their house just before 10pm. "I yelled at them to get off the roof and then saw the flashing police lights.

"I went over to speak to a police officer on the side of the road when I was hit from the side by a dog. It happened so quickly," he said.

The police dog held on to Mr Terry and shook him as he lay on the ground, screaming for it to let go.

"It was on a lead and I was just yelling at him to get off. I was on the ground for about 15 seconds."

Mr Terry said he used his hands to prise the dog's mouth open. The dog handler then appeared and hauled the dog off.

Mr Terry was bitten on the arm and hand before the dog was pulled away.

He was taken to Tauranga Hospital, where he received more than 20 stitches.

He has been recuperating at home, but said he had no gripe with police. "My gripe is with the offenders who ran across my property and roof."

The police dog handler visited Mr Terry while he was in the hospital's accident and emergency unit and later phoned him to find out how he was doing.

"The police have been helpful and offered support, Mr Terry said. "Their handling of this has been fine."

The head of the police dog section, Sergeant Paul Selby, said a Police Complaints Authority investigation had been launched and the handler and dog stood down.
The dog would have to pass a test before being allowed back at work.

The incident arose after police were alerted to a stolen car last Wednesday night.

The police dog and handler were called in and were only about 20 seconds behind the offenders.

Mr Terry came out of his house and yelled at the offenders just as the police dog and handler were coming around the corner. "They collided with each other," Mr Selby said.

One of the pursued trio was arrested that night.

The handler has 10 years' experience, and the dog has been in the force for about six years.

- NZPA