Police officer taken to hospital after police dog pursuing fugitive mistakenly latched onto his leg

A brief police chase in New Zealand ended with a police dog clamping onto an officer's leg, putting him in hospital. A Mosgiel constable was treated at Dunedin Hospital on Sunday night for leg wounds.

Several police officers, including a dog handler, had been carrying out an arrest warrant in North Dunedin. A 29-year-old man ran from police while being handcuffed and reached the backyard before being tackled by the constable.



The dog was released at the same time and latched onto the first thing it saw - the constable's leg. The dog's handler ordered it to let go of his colleague's leg. The bitten officer was taken to the hospital and discharged the same day.

He had since recovered, and was getting a "bit of stick" from his workmates, Sergeant Kevin Davidson said. Davidson said it was not the first time it had happened and was unlikely to be the last. The 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with escaping custody.