An authorities dog has actually been shot by armed officers after whipping its handler while on a look for a missing out on individual, a force has actually said.
Lancashire Police said PD Jax, a Belgian Malinois, “ended up being aggressive” and assaulted a handler in a field off Higher Walton Road in Walton-le-Dale at about 05:15 BST.
It said the officer suffered a severe leg injury and stays in healthcare facility.
Supt Hassan Khan said the occurrence would be “evaluated in due course”.
A force agent said after PD Jax bit the handler, “additional patrols, consisting of armed officers, went to the scene with efforts made to limit the dog”.
“All efforts to limit the dog stopped working,” they said.
“Given the continuing danger to the hurt officer and other patrols, PD Jax was contended the scene by armed officers, and regretfully passed away.”
Supt Khan said it was “never ever a simple choice for any officer to take, however authorities have a task to act where essential prior to any additional injury is triggered, whether to officers, or members of the general public”.
“We would never ever put anybody at threat of additional damage,” he said.
“These are highly-trained, working dogs which do an experienced job, however like any dog, (they) can provide a risk in specific scenarios.
“We understand just how much our dogs are liked by the individuals of Lancashire and beyond, in addition to our own staff.”
He included that his officers had actually been left “ravaged by what has actually taken place and the result of this occurrence”.
The force agent said the missing out on individual was later on discovered safe and well.