Telegraph reporters
Mon, 8 May 2023
An unidentified man holds two dogs before being tasered and the dogs shot
The Metropolitan Police has defended its officers after a suspect was tasered and two dogs were shot in front of screaming witnesses.
Footage posted on social media showed officers pursuing a man who was holding the two dogs on a short lead along a canal in Limehouse, east London on Sunday afternoon.
Officers can be heard telling the owner they need to assess the dogs and him, as he shouts back: “Leave them [the dogs] alone”.
The dogs were barking at the armed police as the man turned to walk away.
He was pursued by seven officers who told the man to “come back”. He turned around and the dogs ran towards the officers, held back by their leads.
The officers backed away from the dogs and warned the man to keep them under control.
The situation then became heated, as the man was tasered to the floor and the animals were shot dead.
Aggressive behaviour 'was of considerable concern'
Witnesses in the surrounding flats could be heard screaming from their balconies as the first animal was shot, with one shouting, “why did you shoot the dog?”, according to the Evening Standard.
Commenting on the incident, police said officers "have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused".
In a statement, the force said: "Police were called just after 5pm 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. He has been taken into police custody. A Taser was discharged by police."
The statement continued: "No person was taken to hospital. Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene.
"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.
"The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards will review the circumstances of the incident."
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