Police officers hospitalised after being attacked by dogs in Dalkeith

FIVE police officers were hospitalised after they were attacked by a pack of crazed dogs when called to a domestic in Dalkeith.
Police outside the property in Dalkeith.Police outside the property in Dalkeith.
Police outside the property in Dalkeith.

One of the officers is believed to have been punched in the face by a man while his colleagues were bitten after being set upon by the Staffordshire bull terrier–type breeds.

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Police were called to the home in Shadepark Gardens at around 4.10am yesterday by paramedics.

Police outside the property in Dalkeith.Police outside the property in Dalkeith.
Police outside the property in Dalkeith.
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“The dogs were going absolutely tonto but weren’t specifically set on the cops but still attacked,” said a source.

Officers are understood to have been called to the flat for a domestic fight between the man and a woman.

The man, thought to have been breaching bail conditions by being there, attacked one officer before leaping out of a window and was then arrested.

The woman was being taken away in an ambulance after suffering multiple dog bites only to give paramedics the slip, return to the flat and unleash the dogs.

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Two more cops arrived as back–up only to be attacked by the dogs also.

They managed to subdue one of the animals and put it in a van before locking the other two back in the flat.

Two officers were bitten on the legs and arms, a third was scratched on the stomach and a fourth suffered a hand injury.

All the officers were taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment alongside the man and woman – who were both arrested.

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A heavy police presence, including a specialist dog unit, remained at the scene before the two animals were successfully removed from the flat at 10.30am.

Chief Inspector Arron Clinkscales, Midlothian Area Commander said: “Upon arrival at the property one woman was found with injuries caused by multiple dog bites and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

“Four police officers sustained injuries from dogs whilst within, and in the vicinity, of the property. A fifth officer was assaulted, sustaining a facial injury.

“The injured officers, along with the man and woman, have been taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

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“A man and woman have been arrested in connection with the incident which will be investigated with the utmost seriousness. I wish all injured parties a full and quick recovery.”

A community leader labelled the incident “disturbing” while police officer representatives said it showed the threats posed to frontline cops.

Andrea MacDonald, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “This type of incident highlights the challenging and unpredictable situations that police officers can find themselves in on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

“Our thoughts are with those involved and we wish them a speedy recovery.”

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Dalkeith Labour councillor Margot Russell said: “It’s very distressing to hear that a number of police officers have been injured in this way while carrying out their duties, and we await the outcome of an investigation into this disturbing incident and the circumstances which brought it about.”