Detention order for teenage thug who kicked Zero the police canine in face in Halifax in first prosecution of its variety in West Yorkshire

The 17-year-old has been handed a 12-month detention order after being convicted in what’s believed to be the primary profitable prosecution of its variety in West Yorkshire.

The young man, who can’t be named for authorized causes, was arrested after officers had been referred to as to a housebreaking at a store on Market Street in Halifax city centre within the early hours of July 11 final 12 months.

An officer from West Yorkshire Police’s canine part attended to attempt to seek for the wrongdoer, who had fled the scene however was believed to be close by.

When he was discovered, he attacked police canine Zero as officers tried to arrest him.

Zero suffered accidents to her face on account of the attack and wanted therapy.

Appearing earlier than Bradford Youth Court on January 15, the youth was convicted of a lot of offences, together with housebreaking and inflicting pointless struggling to a protected animal.

He was given a 12-month detention order and four-month youth referral order.

Chief Inspector James Farrar, of West Yorkshire Police’s operational assist staff and head of the canine part, stated: “This was a nasty attack on one of our beloved police dogs.

“We take the welfare of our working animals very seriously and, as with our officers, none of them deserve to be assaulted in the line of duty.

I’m pleased that the court has taken a dim view of this attack.

“Zero is now back to full strength and is due to take part in the regional police dog trials later this year.”

The Animal Welfare Act got here into power in 2019 to guard service animals corresponding to police dogs and horses.

It prevents those that attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence.

The regulation is named Finn’s Law, after a Hertfordshire Police canine who was stabbed while pursuing a suspect together with his handler.

Anyone with considerations or details about crime of their space can name police on 101 or use the reside chat on West Yorkshire Police’s web site.