THE Metropolitan Police has stood by officers after a video was widely circulated on social media showing a suspect being tasered and two dogs being shot in front of screaming witnesses.
Footage posted showed officers pursuing a man holding two dogs on a short lead along a canal in Limehouse in east London on Sunday afternoon.
The situation seemed to become heated, as the man was tasered to the floor and the two dogs shot dead.
In a statement posted on Tower Hamlets Police’s Twitter page, the Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the video.
The Met Police has defended its officers after a suspect was tasered and two dogs were shot. We asked policing commentator @grahamwettone whether he thought the incident was appropriate...#KayBurley LH pic.twitter.com/tMD8B25MG9
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) May 9, 2023
It read: “Police were called just after 1700hrs on Sunday May 7, to a woman being attacked by a dog in Commercial Road, E14.
“Officers attended the location where the aggressive behaviour of two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to them.
“A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences.”
The statement confirmed the man had been taken into custody and that a taser was discharged by the police.
It continued: “No person was taken to hospital. Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene. This is never an easy decision for an officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused.
“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will review the circumstances of the incident.”
This comes after the Metropolitan Police said it “regrets” the arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters ahead of the King’s coronation.
Republic chief executive Graham Smith has demanded a “full inquiry” into who authorised the arrests that prevented the group expressing their beliefs during the “disgraceful episode”.
