A Bay of Plenty police officer has undergone surgery after being attacked by a dog during an arrest.
Two officers were attending to an arrest warrant on Old Taupō Road in Rotorua at around 9.10pm on Friday.
During the arrest, a dog at the property attacked one of them. The second officer intervened, sustaining injuries of their own, which they are now recovering from.
Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said welfare was now being wrapped around them, while the dog has been uplifted by animal control.
"Obviously this is a distressing incident for both them and their colleagues, and they are receiving all available support."
Anderson said he was "extremely proud" of the bravery shown by the staff, particularly by the second officer who intervened to stop his colleague being attacked further.
"After any injury sustained in the line of duty, police will debrief and look at how we can prevent this in the future."
6 comments
They should have shot the dog
Posted on 22-09-2025 21:43 | By Cap'n Cray
They should have shot the dog
Mother
Posted on 23-09-2025 12:01 | By Yadick
What got me was the article in another paper told how the Mother was at home when the attack happened and afterwards was SO concerned about what the future held for her Sons dog. No mention from her of the attack.
Well hey lady, what about the two Officers that just got mauled by your Son's dog.
I think Cap'n Crays comment above answers your question more than adequately.
@Cap'n Cray
Posted on 23-09-2025 12:26 | By morepork
Possibly.
They definitely should have arrested the owner. (maybe they did...)
Situations like this raise the question again as to whether our police should carry sidearms for protection in the execution of their duty.
No-one would object if the constable shot the dog because it was attacking him, and the owner failed to control it.
Shooting the dog after the fact, is a different thing entirely.
Animal owners are responsible for the training, control, and behaviour of their pets, whether it is a dog, a big cat, a snake, an alligator, or any other aggressive life form.
nah
Posted on 23-09-2025 14:33 | By hexsayer
ok so of a 'police' dog bites someone is it then uplifted by animal control with likelihood of being destroyed?
so why when someone's dog tries to protect its owner in a high pressure potentially escalating situation that was probably avoidable in the first place. the dog should be returned to the address its registered under. anyone saying it should have been shot needs to take a look at their own loved ones, animal or otherwise, then take a good look in the mirror - it could be you.
@ hexsayer
Posted on 24-09-2025 11:07 | By Yadick
You cannot compare a highly trained, controlled and skilled Police dog with an out of control civilian dog. In this instance, and many, many others, I would put money on it that no verbal commanding of this dog would have resulted in the dog attack stopping.
You cannot condone this attack and therefore, in this instance perhaps it should be you looking in the mirror.
@Hexsayer
Posted on 25-09-2025 13:35 | By morepork
Comparing a properly disciplined and controlled Police dog, to an animal that has only been taught to attack, is a very unsound comparison.
Police dogs DON'T generally bite people, and when they do, they are still in/under control.
I had an occasion once to be accosted by a police dog who was guarding the premises I entered, while the owner was temporarily away. He was an Alsatian and, in a flash, he grabbed my arm. I stayed calm and talked to him but it was quite clear he wasn't letting go. His owner arrived and he released me immediately on getting the command to do so. The skin of my arm was not broken, but my jacket needed some minor repair. It was an amazing display of discipline.
Dogs will naturally protect their owners; it is the responsibility of the owner to see they stop on command.
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