Police killed dog to 'protect public' after woman was injured and schools told to keep pupils indoors

Alastair Ulke
By Alastair Ulke
Published 2nd Nov 2022, 09:24 BST
A dog was killed by police after it bit a woman on the arm in Yorkshire.

South Yorkshire Police advised schools in an area of Sheffield to keep their pupils inside while the potentially dangerous dog was on the loose.

Officers were called to the fields near Hollinsend Cricket Club off Fox Lane at around 2pm on October 31 after a woman was severely bitten on the arm by her own dog. The breed hasn’t been confirmed by police.

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The dog then reportedly ran from the scene towards Thornbridge Close. Schools were advised to keep students indoors while police officers attended the scene. Residentssaid they saw officers arrive ‘armed with shotguns’. Shortly afterwards, they said gunshots were heard coming from the scene.

A dog was destroyed by police on Thornbridge Drive in Sheffield yesterday (October 31) after it severely bit its owner on the arm. The picture shows police guarding the scene this eveningA dog was destroyed by police on Thornbridge Drive in Sheffield yesterday (October 31) after it severely bit its owner on the arm. The picture shows police guarding the scene this evening
A dog was destroyed by police on Thornbridge Drive in Sheffield yesterday (October 31) after it severely bit its owner on the arm. The picture shows police guarding the scene this evening

One resident said: “I heard what I thought was one shot, and then it went quiet. Two minutes later, they jumped in their police cars and went round to Thornbridge Drive, and my friend told me they appeared there. He said he thought he heard two shots, and then another two.”

South Yorkshire Police have now confirmed they destroyed the dog at the scene after deeming it a risk to public safety. A spokesperson for the force said: “It was determined that the dog was a potential risk to public safety and the decision was unfortunately made to destroy the dog to protect the public. Officers continue to investigate the matter to see if any offences had been committed.”

The woman was taken to hospital with serious arm injuries not believed to be life-threatening. The incident led to a wooded part of the park being cordoned off by police for several hours.