Man interviewed by officers after Hartlepool police dog shooting

A man has been interviewed by police in connection with an incident which ended in a dog being shot by police in Hartlepool.
The Caucasian Shepherd, which was destroyed by police in Hartlepool.The Caucasian Shepherd, which was destroyed by police in Hartlepool.
The Caucasian Shepherd, which was destroyed by police in Hartlepool.

Cleveland Police said the 22-year-old was interviewed voluntarily by officers following the incident on Sunday, January 21.

The Caucasian shepherd was destroyed by police in Mainsforth Terrace, after being tied to a pole.

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The force insisted it had become too aggressive to approach, leaving them with no alternative course of action.

A Cleveland Police spokesman said: “Police have voluntarily interviewed a 22-year-old local man in connection with an incident with a dog in Hartlepool on Sunday, January 21, and enquiries are ongoing.”

The decision to shoot the dog has caused an uproar.

A petition calling for an investigation into the shooting has amassed almost 200,000 signatures.Former police dog handler Ralph Bantoft – who has been training problem dogs since 1967 – said that in 25 years as a dog handler, he never had to put one down.

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Cleveland Police have explained why they took the course of action which they did.A statement from the force read: "Throughout the operation police worked together with a number of veterinary professionals, the RSPCA and a re-homing charity. "This led to the decision to destroy the dog, which was extremely aggressive and unapproachable."