Two members of the public were injured when police dogs escaped from their handler's home in Sileby, Leicestershire, prompting an investigation by the force.
The animals, one currently operational and one retired from service, broke free from the garden of the handler's home address. Footage shows the dogs, which appear to be German shepherds, barking in the street before approaching a woman. A man driving through the area pulled over to help and was reportedly bitten by one of the dogs.
Man Bitten While Offering Assistance
The man, who did not wish to be named, said: "I came across the incident while driving through the area and noticed someone apparently having difficulty with one of the dogs. As a professional dog handler myself, I stopped to offer assistance. Within moments of exiting my vehicle, the operational police dog bit my ankle, breaking the skin on both sides. Fortunately, my protective work boots prevented what could have been a much more serious injury."
He told LeicestershireLive that he does not blame the dogs for the incident on Tuesday, nor does he wish for them to be put down, but he highlighted concerns for public safety. "Had a child, an elderly person or someone unable to retreat quickly encountered these dogs, the consequences could potentially have been much worse," the man added.
Police Confirm Investigation and Apology
The dogs were brought under control by officers living at the address and taken back to the house. Leicestershire Police confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway, and those injured were spoken to and did not require medical attention.
A spokesperson said: "This incident will understandably cause some concern and during the last few days the force has carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding what happened. The force has deemed that the correct security arrangements are usually in place, and this was an isolated incident. The dog handler has been spoken to regarding the importance of ensuring the gate of the property is always secure."
The spokesperson added: "The dog handler and police dog will also be undergoing a safety assessment to ensure operational standards continue to be met. All other dog handlers in the team have also been spoken to regarding the importance of ensuring the dogs are kept in a secure premises when not on duty. The two members of the public have been updated and the force has apologised to them."
