A police officer who shot and killed two dogs has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
On May 7, 2023, armed officers were called to Commercial Road in Poplar, east London, after receiving reports of a woman being attacked by two Cane Corso dogs.
The woman, who was walking her own dog at the time, sustained an injury to her leg after she had been knocked to the ground by the large dogs whilst trying to protect herself.
Her dog was bitten and suffered a cut on its nose and had chunks of fur missing.
Police found the owner, who is in his 40s, and the two Cane Corsos at the scene and attempted to negotiate with the man.
After he refused to hand over his dogs, one of them jumped up at one of the officers before the man ran away with the animals.
The armed officers officers pursued him to Limehouse Cut Canal but he would still not let them take the dogs.
During the conversation, one of the Cane Corsos became loose and tried to run towards the officers but was stopped by the owner.
A police officer who shot and killed two dogs has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
On May 7, 2023, armed officers were called to Commercial Road (pictured) in Poplar, east London, after receiving reports of a woman being attacked by two Cane Corso dogs
Seconds later, one broke free from its lead and lunged at the dog handler before being shot dead by a firearms officer.
The second dog was detained by the dog handler using a pole capture device and was tasered.
However, it then broke free and was followed and shot dead by the same firearms officer as he feared for his colleagues safety. The dog owner was then tasered and arrested.
After checking their systems, it revealed that he was disqualified from keeping dogs for 20 years as part of an order handed to him in 2019.
The case was referred to the IOPC after the Met Police received complaints of misconduct and discrimination against the man because he was homeless.
But after completing their independent investigation, IOPC officers found no evidence to uphold these claims.
The Cane Corso owner was handed a suspended prison sentence in November 2023 after pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control (without injury).
He also pleaded guilty to possession of dogs whilst under a 20-year disqualification order.
Earlier that month, he admitted to the same offences in connection to another incident in Westminster.
The other incident occurred in Strutton Ground in February 2023 and saw a Pomeranian dog left blind after being attack by the dogs.
Det Chf Supt James Conway said: ‘The IOPC investigation has been extensive, examining every aspect of what happened that day and scrutinising body worn video, mobile phone footage and CCTV of the incident as well as consulting dangerous dog experts.
‘The investigation found the officers faced a really challenging situation and made numerous attempts to get the owner of the aggressive animals – after they had attacked a woman and her dog – to surrender them to prevent further injury to anyone.
‘Parts of the incident were filmed and posted on social media and we know how much distress this matter caused.
‘None of us would wish to see injury to any animal and that includes our officers who only acted to ensure the safety of everyone involved.’
