A man who hid in bushes from police after breaking into garden sheds in Edinburgh was bitten on the ankle by a police dog after he grabbed the search animal by the neck.
Police were sent to an address in the city on May 1 this year following a number of shed break-ins in residential gardens, a police report has revealed.
A 35-year-old man was later tracked by a police dog and, after refusing to stay still, grabbed the dog by the neck.
As a result the dog reacted by biting him multiple times on the ankle.
The man was subsequently taken by police to hospital where he became abusive towards NHS staff and the officers in attendance.
Due to his continuing behaviour the man was restrained by police.
He was later arrested and was found to be carrying a number of implements including a large knife.
A report was sent to the procurator fiscal.
Details of the incident emerged after the incident was submitted by police to the PIRC – Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
The report concluded that the deployment of the police dog was “proportionate and in accordance with police procedures”.
It stated: “The man broke into a number of garden sheds. When police officers and a police dog arrived, he was tracked and found to be hiding in bushes.
“When he grabbed the police dog by the neck it reacted and bit him on the ankle causing a serious injury.
“The deployment of the police dog was proportionate and in accordance with police procedures.
“The man’s continual abusive behaviour, towards NHS staff and police officers, was concerning and distressing given the current COVID-19 crisis.”
No recommendations were made from the report.
