Police dog shot and killed after turning on its own handler in terrifying attack
Efforts to restrain the dog failed
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A police dog that bit its handler causing “serious injuries” has been shot and killed, Lancashire Police have said.
Jax, the police dog, became aggressive and attacked its handler, who is now in hospital recovering from their injuries.
The canine turned hostile during a missing person’s investigation in Walton-Le-Dale this morning.
Lancashire Police said: “Around 5.15am today (Thursday, August 3) we were searching for a missing person in a field off Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale. During the search a police dog became aggressive, biting its police dog handler, causing serious injuries."
Lancashire Police Force had no choice but to put down the dog
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Efforts from the police to restrain Jax failed and so the officers were left with no choice than to put the dog down.
"Further patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene with attempts made to restrain the dog," said a police statement.
Out of concerns for the injured officer and others, the decision was made to put Jax down, Lancashire Police Force commented.
The victim of the dog attack remains in hospital with a serious upper leg injury.
Superintendent Hassan Khan, of Lancashire Police, said that they are "devastated by what has happened and the outcome of the incident" and their thoughts are with the injured handler.
He said: “This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused, whether to officers, or members of the public. We would never put anyone at risk of further harm.
“These are highly trained, working dogs which do a skilled job, but like any dog can present a danger in certain circumstances.
“We know how much our dogs are loved by the people of Lancashire and beyond, as well as our own staff. We have been left devastated by what has happened and the outcome of this incident.
The incident happened during a missing person's search
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“Our thoughts are very much with the injured officer while she undergoes treatment for serious leg injuries and she is receiving our full support. Given the circumstances the incident will be reviewed in due course.”
Jax was popular and well-liked police dog, as depicted in now-deleted tweets.
Replying to a member of the public on twitter, the force’s account said: “Oh he's a very, very good floof - we would never debate that! But he can get a bit bite-y if you get too close!”
No members of public were involved in the incident.