Police attended an deal with in Thornton Avenue, Hartlepool simply earlier than midnight on Tuesday (Could 23), following reviews of a priority for security.
As officers arrested a 32-year-old man on the deal with, on suspicion of assault and legal injury, an American XL Pitbull within the property attacked him.
The person was freed, however the canine ran in an agitated state in direction of the city centre. Cleveland Police has stated the animal needed to be put down because it posed “serious risk to the public”.
Cleveland Police stated: “Officers fought for several minutes to get the dog off the man, but as the animal was so strong and powerful, a Taser was eventually used to free its grip on him.
“As officers moved the man to safety, the dog ran past them in an agitated state, and onto the street where the other people from the address were situated, then towards York Road in the town centre.
“Despite numerous attempts to catch and secure the dog humanely, officers made the decision for the Armed Response Unit to destroy the dog as it was dangerously out of control and posed a serious risk it to the public at that time.
“The 32-year-old man who was injured at the property, was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees by ambulance where he will receive treatment. He had sustained serious injuries to his limbs and deep bite marks in the attack, which are not life threatening.
“The force has voluntarily referred the incident to the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct].”
