A police officer stabbed a dog to death after it attacked a trainee detective constable during an attempted drugs raid in Grove Park this morning (November 28).
No drugs were found or arrests made following the incident, which happened at 6.20am this morning in Lonsdale Close.
Police say officers forced entry into the property and whilst inside, one officer - a 39-year-old trainee - was bitten by a dog, which then clamped its jaws around his leg.
The owner of the dog, who was too traumatised to talk about the incident, said: "Even though the police have come to my house, at the end of the day, they killed my dog.
"I just don't understand why they would kill an innocent dog."
A dog unit and armed officers were called in to help as police used CS spray to try to free the officer from the animal's jaws.
The dog was eventually stabbed with a knife by an officer and has died as a result of its injuries.
A Met police spokesman said: "Due to growing concern for the officer's safety and an inability to control or remove the animal, it was deemed necessary to use force."
The injured officer, based at Lewisham borough, was taken by ambulance to a south London hospital, where he remains in a stable condition. He is due to undergo surgery for his injuries.
Police say the dog is not believed to be a dangerous or banned breed.
A complaint has been made about the incident and the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards are investigating.
- Did you see what happened? Call the newsroom on 01689 885703 or email newsroom@london.newsquest.co.uk
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