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Dog Section Statistics
Question(s)740 / 2010
In relation to your Dog Section could you please provide me with the following information:
1. Over the past 5 years how many times have your dogs bitten members of the public? This includes both when the dogs are operational and non-operational (off-duty).
2. Over the past 5 years how many times have police officers and other police staff been bitten by police dogs?
3. Over the past 5 years has the duration of the licensing course for dogs and handlers changed? If so, please state the changes.
4. Over the past 5 years how many dogs have had their licenses revoked for reasons other than death or retirement? |
ResponseQuestion 1 -
2005 - 3
2006 - 3
2007 - 4
2008 - 14
2009 - 12
2010 - 17 (16 of these were during the same public order situation)
Question 2 -
2005 - 2
2006 - 2
2007 - 0
2008 - 3
2009 - 0
2010 - 1
Question 3 - No there have been no changes. Our courses remain in line with the national advice from the ACPO Standing Committee for the Training and Care of Dogs.
For the novice dog the initial course in Derbyshire is 10 weeks training and 3 weeks operational patrol - with another experienced dog as back up. We do however re-handle trained dogs to experienced handlers and 2 weeks is accepted as sufficient for the handler and the dog to bond and the dog accept the commands of the new handler. If 2 weeks is insufficient the team will not be licensed and further training supplied until the team is suitable for operators licence.
Question 4 - Any dog retiring within 6 months of their due retirement date is considered as reaching full term.
There are a number of variables as to why a dog may have had a licence revoked. Retirement may be on age, infirmity, inconsistency or other variables. The term "withdrawn due to safety concerns" may have been a more appropriate inclusion within your question as the whole request seems to centre on dogs biting people, whether they are members of the public or members of the Force.
As the basis of your request has this emphasis we have responded in relation to "retirements" due to dogs being unsafe to licence within operational / public service.
We have had 3 dogs so retired within the period.
If the above was not the full focus of this question then I am able to add that a further 9 dogs were retired early (minimum of 6 months from their due retirement date) due to either inconsistency or ill - health issues.
The answer to your question therefore depending upon the meaning is either 3 or 12.
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