Slain dog saves police officers

Police dog Gage attacked the man who is accused of shooting Constable Mitchel Alatalo and Senior Constable Bruce Lamb. Photo / Simon Baker

It was supposed to be a routine door-knock. The type that police carry out hundreds of times a week without any problems.

Police Constable Mitchel Alatalo, 39, and long-serving dog handler Bruce Lamb, 51 - along with 6-year-old canine colleague, Gage - had no reason to be overly concerned when they were sent to the Christchurch suburb of Linwood yesterday to find a person with psychiatric problems who was threatening another person.

The officers felt comfortable enough to leave their Tasers in the car as they went door-knocking.

The person they were looking for could not be found. Instead, they discovered - thanks to a strong whiff of cannabis - a nearby house being used to grow marijuana.

They used their powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act to carry out a search without a warrant.

One of the men at the house was arrested but a second man grabbed a firearm.

Mr Lamb, whom the Herald understands has won awards for bravery in his 32 years of service, was the first to walk into the line of fire.

"A bullet has passed through his jaw, shattered it into four pieces, and passed out the other side of his face," said Canterbury police district commander, Superintendent Dave Cliff.

Mr Alatalo saw his colleague shot and attempted to escape through a window, but was shot himself through his left upper thigh.

"The bullet has come very close to nicking his femoral artery, and if that had happened the results could have been tragic," Mr Cliff said.

Gage attacked the gunman and was killed, apparently by a gunshot.

"So it seems as if the dog has actually given up its life to save its handler, and created some time and space to allow them to escape safely from the address."

Bleeding from their wounds, the officers managed to scramble to their vehicles to call for help.

"Our staff have come very close to losing their lives. They have remained calm in the face of an extraordinary set of circumstances," Mr Cliff said.

"Everything about what I have seen so far tells me that the staff themselves behaved courageously and have done an excellent job."

The injured police officers - who had been wearing body armour - suffered serious injuries and were last night in hospital, with family members at their bedsides.

Mr Lamb was having titanium screws inserted in his jaw.

Residents, who heard shouting and gunshots, watched on as the gunman struggled with police.

"He was performing like a Cheshire Cat. He was fighting them like mad," said Denise Lines.

Other witnesses said the gunman was screaming at police to "get the f*** out of it".

Dozens of armed police arrived at the scene and, following negotiations, a bloodied 34-year-old man was restrained on the road outside.

"He has dog bite wounds which we believe are from the police dog which he shot and killed," said Mr Cliff.

A .22 rifle and .308 rifle were found at the property. The other man connected to the house was also arrested.

Mr Cliff said the incident was incredibly upsetting for police.

"We have had huge support, particularly this morning from Napier where they have experienced something very similar recently. Every time a police officer goes out, it's risky."

Bronya Don, 31, who lives next door to the house where the drama unfolded, said the occupants kept to themselves.

She said her own home had been the subject of a break-in the day before the shooting, and a home invasion three weeks ago. "And then we get this on top of it. It is a lot to deal with."

Police Association Canterbury region director Craig Prior said: "This is just an everyday thing that they were attending. It's just the unexpected that catches us out, unfortunately.

"These things do come down to luck - it's just as simple as that."

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