In what is termed an inhumane act, the UK Metropolitan Police shot dead two dogs and tasered a man after being informed of a dog attack incident.
The video flared a lot of debate on social media, with users naming the police action inhumane. According to the BBC, the incident took place at 5 pm (local time) on Sunday. The police said they received a call of a woman being attacked by a dog in Commercial Road, Poplar, in east London. The disturbing video shows policemen with an animal catcher pole, riot shield, and gun approaching the man with two dogs and he tries to get away.
The horrific incident is distributed on social media and shows the man holding the two dogs in the area before he was tasered and the dogs shot.
The police also defended their move with the spokesperson saying such decisions are “never easy to make” but “police have a duty to act where necessary”.
A woman who resided in the area told the BBC, “I don’t think the dogs looked aggressive, they were both wiggling their tails.”
Dominic Dyer writes: “I’m sorry to say I have no confidence in what the
@metpoliceuk are claiming when it comes to this incident. This police force is institutionally corrupt & has lost the confidence of the public when it comes to both people & animal protection.”
I’m sorry to say I have no confidence in what the @metpoliceuk are claiming when it comes to this incident. This police force is institutionally corrupt & has lost the confidence of the public when it comes to both people & animal protection pic.twitter.com/JCdv1MjonK
— dominic dyer (@domdyer70) May 11, 2023
The policemen are also seen talking to the man, apparently persuading him to surrender. After some time, the situation becomes heated and the dogs leap toward the policemen but are immediately shot.
The Met Police said the man was later arrested and charged over the dog attack.
“Officers attended the location where the aggressive behaviour of two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to them,” a Met Police spokesperson was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offenses. He has been taken into police custody,” the spokesperson further said.
The police said “both the dogs were destroyed” at the scene.
Metro identified the man as Louie Turnbull, who appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after being charged with being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and being in possession of a dog while disqualified from owning or keeping a dog.
A petition is being signed to stop animal cruelty. A man writes: “ signed a petition regarding this literally 30 seconds ago – animal abuse is UNFORGIVEABLE.”
I signed a petition regarding this literally 30 seconds ago – animal abuse is UNFORGIVEABLE 😪💔 https://t.co/w7RXMCrPtx
— Ange B (@P00CAT) May 11, 2023