THE Metropolitan Police has stood by officers after a video was widely circulated on social media showing a suspect being tasered and two dogs being shot in front of screaming witnesses.
Footage posted showed officers pursuing a man holding two dogs on a short lead along a canal in Limehouse in east London on Sunday afternoon.
The situation seemed to become heated, as the man was tasered to the floor and the two dogs shot dead.
In a statement posted on Tower Hamlets Police’s Twitter page, the Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the video.
The Met Police has defended its officers after a suspect was tasered and two dogs were shot.
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) May 9, 2023
We asked policing commentator @grahamwettone whether he thought the incident was appropriate...#KayBurley LH pic.twitter.com/tMD8B25MG9
It read: “Police were called just after 1700hrs on Sunday May 7, to a woman being attacked by a dog in Commercial Road, E14.
“Officers attended the location where the aggressive behaviour of two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to them.
“A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences.”
The statement confirmed the man had been taken into custody and that a taser was discharged by the police.
It continued: “No person was taken to hospital. Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene. This is never an easy decision for an officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused.
“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will review the circumstances of the incident.”
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This comes after the Metropolitan Police said it “regrets” the arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters ahead of the King’s coronation.
Republic chief executive Graham Smith has demanded a “full inquiry” into who authorised the arrests that prevented the group expressing their beliefs during the “disgraceful episode”.
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