Experts Reveal Hopes Over Investigation Into Incident

By Rob Dixon

Legal experts have called for safety lessons to be learned following another incident in which members of the public were injured after being bitten by a police dog.
 
South Yorkshire Police have confirmed an investigation has been launched in relation to the incident on Saturday evening (September 14th) on Lund Avenue in Barnsley, when an off-duty police dog handler was taking the dog for a walk.
 
Two men aged 19 and 44 respectively were hurt in the incident, with both receiving medical treatment for leg and hand injuries.
 
South Yorkshire Police has asked anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch and provide more information in relation to it.
 
News of the incident has come several months after it was confirmed West Midlands Police were undertaking an investigation regarding an incident in June, in which a 10-year-old boy was attacked by a police in a garden in Oldbury.
 
David Urpeth, a Partner and legal expert in dog bite claims at Irwin Mitchell, represents victims who have suffered serious physical and psychological injuries as a result of being attacked by dogs.
 
Commenting on this weekend’s incident, he said: “This is just the latest in a number of dog attacks reported across recent months and our specialist team has also seen an increase in enquiries over recent months.
 
“Both the victims and their loved ones will be keen for answers over what happened, as well what can be done to prevent the same set of terrible circumstances from emerging in the future.
 
“Dog attacks have a significant impact on victims, often leaving them with long-term issues from which they never fully recover. The circumstances of this incident need to be fully investigated to ensure everything possible can be done to improve safety.”

If you or a loved one have been unfairly treated or unlawfully arrested by the police, our police complaints solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Protecting Your Rights page for more information or inquire online.