Incident Comes Days After New Ownership Measures Are Announced

By Rob Dixon

Legal experts have revealed their hopes that both Derbyshire and Greater Manchester Police are able to quickly and thoroughly investigate the circumstances around an attack by a police dog which left four people injured.

Derbyshire Constabulary has confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident last night (February 7th), when a Greater Manchester Police dog escaped from a kennel in Glossop.

Police were initially alerted when a man reported being bitten by the German Shepherd-type animal, while 30 minutes later a 13-year-old girl was bitten on her arm and leg by the same animal. Two men who tried to help the girl were also injured in the incident.

The dog was captured later in the evening.

Serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell specialise in helping victims of dog attacks to gain answers and justice over the incidents, helping them to secure access to vital rehabilitation for the physical and psychological injuries they have suffered.

David Urpeth, a Partner and expert in dog attack cases at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office, said: “This is clearly a very worrying incident and all of those involved, as well as their families, will want answers over the incident and how it came to occur.

“It is very welcome that an investigation has been launched and we hope that both forces are able to work to develop a detailed picture of the incident, the information from which will go towards ensuring the same problems do not emerge in the future.

“Lessons clearly need to be learned and many people in the Glossop area will want reassurances this will not be repeated.”

News of the incident had come just days after the Government announced new measures related to dog ownership, including the compulsory microchipping of animals and the extension of laws which means owners could be prosecuted over attacks on private property.