A police constable did not use his dog as 'some kind of savage, salivating weapon' on a burglary suspect, his colleague has told a jury.
Pc Paul Lockett, 37, said fellow officer Paul Jackson, 36, did not act unlawfully when he released German shepherd police dog Jerry during a pursuit in a wooded area in Stalybridge in April 2016.
It is alleged the suspect, Dale Kelly, had already given himself up before dog handler Jackson was said to have punched Kelly and commanded Jerry to 'sick him' with further bites.
The prosecution alleges Jackson used Jerry to 'vent his contempt' for Kelly and four other suspects in separate incidents between August 2015 and September 2016.
Giving evidence on Thursday, Lockett said he did not see his colleague punch Kelly and he denied standing by as the dog was allowed to continue biting.
Jurors at Preston Crown Court have heard Kelly injured his ankle and back after he jumped about 20ft into a walled stream which he hid in, only to be confronted by the two officers when he emerged.
Lockett said the suspect 'immediately pivoted on his heels' in a sprint action to make his escape.
He told the court: "I remember PC Jackson shouting something along the lines of 'stop or I will send the dog'."
But Kelly ignored the clear shout and ran towards the wall as Jerry was released, he said.
Lockett said he did not see Jerry 'take down' the suspect because his view was blocked by a tree, but he could hear his scream.
The plain clothes officer said he did not approach until Jackson invited him over, telling the court: "I didn't want to go anywhere near a police dog that's working or has detained someone as they can't differentiate between a friend and a threat."
He said Kelly told him he had hurt his ankle and had pain in his back but made no mention of dog bites.
He then radioed that a van was needed 'urgently' or an ambulance as it appeared Kelly was suffering from hypothermia.
Sam Green QC, defending Lockett, asked him: "The prosecution case against you is that, minutes before you are seeking medical assistance and attending to Mr Kelly's welfare, you had intentionally encouraged or assisted in using Jerry unlawfully as some kind of savage, salivating weapon. Do you agree with the case?"
Lockett replied: "I do not."
Mr Green continued: "And at the very least you failed to intervene?"
Lockett said: "I had no need to intervene in anything."
The defendant added that if Jackson had used Jerry unlawfully as a weapon he would have reported the incident to his supervisor.
The court heard that Lockett, a married father-of-five who joined Greater Manchester Police in 2001, had received a chief constable's commendation for his contribution in the arrest of four Salford gangsters who tortured a couple during a burglary in Hull.
Seven days after the incident involving Kelly, the court was told, Lockett was himself bitten by another police dog, Banjo, who was deployed without warning after he left his vehicle to pursue the occupants of a reported stolen car.
Photographs of the injuries to his right leg - said to have happened when Lockett was still rather than struggling - were shown to the jury.
Lockett said he had five significant scars to his shin bone and the the rear of his leg and that doctors said he would have numbness and swelling of the ankle for three to five years.
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Jackson, from Radcliffe, denies five counts of wounding with intent.
Lockett, from Altrincham, denies aiding and abetting one of the alleged assaults and a separate count of misconduct in a public office.
