Police dog is shot and killed after seriously injuring its handler

Police dog is shot and killed after seriously injuring its handler during search for missing person

•  The handler has suffered a serious upper leg injury and remains in hospital

A police dog has been shot dead after turning aggressive and biting its female handler while searching for a missing person in a village near Preston, Lancashire.

During the search at 5:15am this morning the police dog became aggressive, biting its police dog handler and causing serious injuries.   

Attempts were made to restrain the dog, with armed officers attending the scene, but these failed. 

Given the continuing threat to the injured officer and other patrols, PD Jax was shot at the scene by armed officers, and sadly died.

The police dog handler has suffered a serious upper leg injury and remains in hospital.

PD Jax (pictured) was shot dead this morning after he became aggressive and bit the handler

Police were searching for a missing person in a field off Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale, when the incident occurred.

No members of the public were involved.

Supt Hassan Khan, of Lancashire Police, 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.

‘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.’

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