Met Police left with £8,000 veterinary bill after police dog savages cat

Yahoo UK Staff
The Met Police were left with an £8,000 vet bill after one of their dogs savaged a cat that had to be put down six days later. (SWNS)
The Met Police were left with an £8,000 vet bill after one of their dogs savaged a cat that had to be put down six days later. (SWNS)

Met Police chiefs have been landed with an £8,000 veterinary bill after one of their dogs savaged a pet cat called Spangle that had to be put down.

A police dog handler told Spangle's devastated owner Shirley Anthony that his dog 'didn't like cats'.

She has lodged an official complaint with Scotland Yard that is being investigated

The incident leading to Spangle's horrific death began when police tasered and arrested a man involved a dispute in Beckenham, south east London.

The Met Police were left with an £8,000 vet bill after one of their dogs savaged a cat that had to be put down six days later. (SWNS)
The Met Police were left with an £8,000 vet bill after one of their dogs savaged a cat that had to be put down six days later. (SWNS)

Most of the police officers had left the scene, but a few dog handlers remained to search for other suspects who had fled.

One of the officers let his dog off its lead before the search began and it was then that it chased and mauled 11-year-old Spangle

Distraught Mrs Anthony said her beloved pet was left with puncture wounds 'all over his body'.

Spangle was left paralysed, incontinent and his lungs repeatedly flooded with fluid, so she reluctantly decided to have him put down.

Mrs Anthony, 60, was awoken by the raucous outside her house on the morning of July 6 and watched events unfold from her bedroom window.

After the incident, the officers dispersed quickly but two vehicles remained on the street.

She saw an officer walking his large dog around the driveways and gardens along the street.

The mum-of-two became concerned about her cat who she knew would be nearby.

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At around 6.30am an officer from the Met Police's Dog Support Unit knocked on her door told her his colleague’s dog had attacked Spangle.

She said: “The policeman told me his colleague had let the dog out to go to the toilet when it chased the cat around the corner.

“My neighbour was looking out of the window. She told me Spangle was concerned and looking behind him as he walked down the pavement with the police dog following.

“The dog literally attacked. She said it was horrific to watch and was distressed for two days after seeing it.”

The dog’s handler visited Shirley later that morning after returning from the vets.

She said: “I’ve been distraught and it’s like losing a member of the family.

“Handlers should make sure when they take a dog out of a car in a residential area it is on a lead.”

The Met Taskforce Professional Standards Unit is investigating her complaint.

A Met spokesman said: "Officers from the Met’s Dog Support Unit were called to support officers responding to an incident in Clement Road, Beckenham.

"Upon police arrival, the suspects had fled the scene. An officer and police dog were tasked with searching a nearby residential address in order to assist the investigation.

"Prior to the search taking place, the police dog was released for a short comfort break, as is standard, to ensure the dog is focused on the task ahead.

"During this time, a cat was bitten by the police dog.

"Despite emergency veterinary care immediately being sought, the cat later died. The owner was contacted and informed of the circumstances.”

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