…By Larry John for TDPel Media.
The Metropolitan Police has defended the actions of its officers who tasered a man and shot dead two dogs he was holding on a short lead.
A video of the incident, which took place along a canal in Limehouse, east London, on Sunday afternoon, was posted on social media and shows screaming witnesses as the man was tasered to the ground and the dogs were shot.
Officers had been called to the scene after a report that a woman had been attacked by a dog.
The police force has stated that officers “have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a man had been arrested and taken into custody for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences.
The force added that the aggressive behaviour of the two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to the officers at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police have come under scrutiny for their use of force and the decision to shoot the two dogs.
Many witnesses in the surrounding flats could be heard screaming in horror as the first animal was shot.
The situation then appeared to escalate quickly, resulting in the man being tasered and the second dog also being shot dead.
One witness can be heard shouting: “Why did you shoot the dog?” and another exclaims: “I think they’ve killed it!”
The incident has sparked a debate about police use of force and the decision to shoot the two dogs.
While some have expressed concern over the use of force and the impact it may have had on witnesses, others have argued that the police had no other option given the aggressive behaviour of the dogs.
The Metropolitan Police’s Directorate of Professional Standards has confirmed that they will be reviewing the incident to determine if any policies or procedures were violated.
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