The police watchdog has been asked to assess the conduct of a dog handler after a video of an incident at a former Northfield golf course on Monday (4th September) was posted on Facebook and viewed millions of times.
During the incident, a man appears to be bitten in the leg by a police dog and dragged across the ground.
West Midlands Police were called to North Worcestershire Golf Club in Hanging Lane – where a group of travellers have been camped since Saturday (2nd September) – just after 5pm, to a report of theft of roof tiles from the old club house.
A 34 year old man was bitten in the leg by a police dog. A video of part of the incident – recorded by a fellow traveller – was posted on Facebook with the caption: “[…]everyone share this post on let people see how travellers really get treated.”
Later in the video, a traveller is heard stating that: “[…] we’ve permission to be here”.
The man was arrested on suspicion of obstruction but has been released pending further investigation. He remained in hospital awaiting treatment today.
A woman, 31, was also arrested on suspicion of assault and released without charge.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said that no complaint had been received, but the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to assess the conduct of the dog handler.
The travellers were served with a 48 hour notice to leave the site on Monday but were still on site this morning (Thursday 7th September).
Read more:
- Travellers access former Northfield golf course days after permission for housing development refused | B31 Voices
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Man’s leg ‘mutilated’ by police dog in Birmingham | BBC Midlands