UK man jailed for biting police dog

Matthew Boulter. Photo / Humberside Police

A UK man has been jailed for eight months after he bit a police dog and assaulted an officer.

Matthew Boulter, of Grimsby, was convicted after pleading guilty to assaulting an emergency services worker, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, assault, criminal damage and two counts of battery.

Police were called to arrest the 34-year-old after reports of a series of assaults last Sunday.

As an officer attempted to arrest Boulter, the Grimsby native punched and kicked some fencing towards the officer, causing some minor injuries.

A police dog, named PD Xander, was dispatched to assist with the arrest, but Boulter refused to go down without a fight, biting the animal on the head before grabbing and twisting its collar.

Boulter was eventually apprehended and arrested for assault against three individuals and causing criminal damage earlier in the day outside a venue in Grimsby.

Back working the next day

Detective Sergeant Thomas Crosfill of Humberside Police said: "Assaulting emergency service workers is not acceptable, and our police dogs provide vital assistance to us. They are part of the police family.

"The earlier incidents occurred in a very public location and will have caused distress for the victims and passers-by. We want to ensure our towns are safe for people to live, work and visit, so I am pleased that Boulter was quickly arrested and sentenced for these offences.

"Thankfully, PD Xander quickly made a full recovery and was back at work the next day."

PD Xander was nominated for a National Police Bravery Award in 2021 for his role in chasing down an armed gunman in Scunthorpe.