UNITED KINGDOM -- Three police officers spent the night in hospital after all five required treatment for leg and hand wounds, with one officer facing skin grafts.
It has also been revealed that the dog, which was shot dead at the scene by a marksman from the Metropolitan police's CO19 firearms unit, was known to the local council after it was accused of biting a cyclist and attacking another dog last year.
It has also been revealed that the dog, which was shot dead at the scene by a marksman from the Metropolitan police's CO19 firearms unit, was known to the local council after it was accused of biting a cyclist and attacking another dog last year.
Scotland Yard has admitted it did not pick up on intelligence that a dog lived at the address of the man, in his 20s, who was arrested yesterday on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, and, in light of what happened during his arrest, offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Newham Council said it received reports a dog at the address in Albert Square had bitten a cyclist last April, with animal welfare officers visiting the property the month after but receiving no response.
The issue was discussed by police in June but no further action was taken.
Scotland Yard's Stephen Watson, commander for north-east London, said: 'This allegation was not picked up in the intelligence assessment prior to today's operation, and this now forms part of my review of today's events.'
In the video footage of the event, seemingly shot on a mobile phone and since uploaded to YouTube, a police officer is seen screaming and swearing as the dog appears to sink its teeth into his arm.
One officer retreats to a wall while another crosses to the other side of the street, with the officer being bitten dragging the dog towards his police van before climbing on to a car bonnet and kicking the dog away.
One officer retreats to a wall while another crosses to the other side of the street, with the officer being bitten dragging the dog towards his police van before climbing on to a car bonnet and kicking the dog away.
Other footage later shows the dog being shot three times by a police marksman.
Pools of blood were visible outside the property yesterday.
Pools of blood were visible outside the property yesterday.
Local resident Dennis Clarke described the attack: 'The dog was holding on to his leg.
'He managed to get to the wall but the dog got over the wall and was trying to attack him again.
'He managed to get to the wall but the dog got over the wall and was trying to attack him again.
'He scrambled on to the car, stayed there for a minute. He got down when another officer was screaming and yelling.'
Mr Clarke, 72, said neighbours were aware of a 'dangerous dog' living at the property.
'I informed the council about it, which is why the fencing was put up,' he said.
'It has already attacked another dog. The owner never had it on a muzzle or a lead, but he did after the previous attack. He didn't take it out a lot.
'I think people shouldn't have those dogs. They should be completely banned.'
(Metro.co.uk - March 23, 2012)
