Force muzzles dogs to protect suspects from bite injuries

Police dogs are being muzzled to prevent them from biting criminals. Instead of clamping their jaws around the legs of suspects, the dogs are trained to leap at their targets and disable them with a flying butt.

Senior officers claim that the new "muzzle-strike" tactic is effective and has led to a reduction in injuries.

The technique, pioneered in North Wales, may now be adopted by other forces. However, critics have accused the police of bowing to political correctness and human rights concerns.

The North Wales force uses Belgian Malinois dogs, a breed similar to the alsatian. A metal bar across the front of the muzzle takes the impact of the butt.

"Instead of biting, the dog is muzzled and launches itself like a missile at the midriff of the target," said Clive Wolfendale, the Deputy Chief Constable of North Wales.