A police dog has been shot dead by armed officers after it turned on its handler, biting her leg and causing “serious” injuries.
The incident happened while Lancashire Police officers searched for a missing person in a field off Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale, around 5.15am on Thursday.
Lancashire Constabulary said in a statement: “During the search a police dog became aggressive, biting its police dog handler, causing serious injuries.”
Other officers, including armed police, rushed to the scene and tried to restrain the dog - a six-year-old Belgian Malinois/Dutch Herder - but without success.
The force said: “Given the continuing threat to the injured officer and other patrols, PD Jax was shot at the scene by armed officers, and sadly died.”
The police dog handler suffered a “serious upper leg injury” and remained in hospital on Thursday afternoon.
No members of the public were involved in the incident.
Supt Hassan Khan, of Lancashire Police, said: “This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused, whether to officers, or members of the public. We would never put anyone at risk of further harm.
“These are highly trained, working dogs which do a skilled job, but like any dog can present a danger in certain circumstances.
“We know how much our dogs are loved by the people of Lancashire and beyond, as well as our own staff. We have been left devastated by what has happened and the outcome of this incident.
“Our thoughts are very much with the injured officer while she undergoes treatment for serious leg injuries and she is receiving our full support.
“Given the circumstances the incident will be reviewed in due course.”
