Police dog bite payouts toll

Freedom of Information figures show eight out of 18 claims have been settled, five were unsuccessful and another five are still being assessed - and the force have set aside a reserve of 114,837 for potential payouts.

A total of 63 complaints made against police dogs have been investigated by the force over the last 12 years.

Figures released show complaints were made against 23 dogs - and 47 of the incidents reported were classed as assaults and 11 as serious assaults.

Another five investigated by the force's Professional Standards Department since 1995 involved allegations of neglect or failure in duty.

The force have revealed that none of the police dogs reported have been destroyed and none of their handlers have been disciplined as a result of the complaints.

But in the past 12 months one dog has been "re-teamed" with a Ministry of Defence police dog handler following a "training incident that left a member of public with a dog bite injury".

A force spokesman said: "By re-teaming the dog with a MoD handler South Yorkshire Police have taken a proactive measure to ensure that the dog did not put the public at further risk.

"No licensed general-purpose police dog was subject to euthanasia due to behavioural issues."

Between January 2004 and July this year, 42 police dogs stopped working due to medical conditions, old age, handler retirements and efficiency savings.

A total of 31 were retired into the care of their handlers, six were destroyed upon veterinary advice, one died of natural causes while undergoing veterinary treatment and four were rehomed.

A force dog handling sergeant said: "I can unequivocally state that none of our police dogs are used to 'attack' persons.

"Police dog deployments are a considered tactical option available to highly trained and experienced police dog handlers. Any deployment is subject to rigorous scrutiny and must be lawful, proportionate and to effect a legitimate policing objective."