The use of police dogs is a growing debate nationally over how law enforcement should respond when working dogs turn on their handlers or other animals. Violent incidents are racking up in the last two years as Police dogs have escaped handlers and have attacked people and animals. Some are against dogs being used for violence by law enforcement.
In Oregon, dog handlers are required to photograph any injuries, provide treatment as necessary, report the bite to their supervisor, and write a summary of what happened. That supervisor then has to write a dog bite summary report which is reviewed by an assistant chief. Another part of the process is an evaluation. The handler and the dog are both evaluated by a trainer to determine if the dog is becoming more aggressive and if the handler can control the dog.
On one incident a Belgian Malinois, a breed of smart, loyal working dogs frequently used by police and military “pushed by my wife through the open front door and ran out of the house.” The dog chased and bit a Llama that later died. A thin shaven coat, combined with rapid weight loss in the weeks after the attack, led to the Llama’s fatal hypothermia.
A Clackamas County Sheriff Deputy’s canine bit a Portland Police officer in 2018, while the officer was helping arrest a man who had fled a stolen vehicle. In the state of Georgia, a sheriff’s deputy was forced to shoot and kill his own dog when the animal bit the deputy’s leg. The deputy said it was a case of mistaken identity.
Police dog attacks like these come as the use of police dogs nationwide is coming under closer scrutiny and a growing number of unintentional bites call into question how much control officers have over their dogs.
In 2016, 190 law enforcement officers in California reported being injured by their dogs.
Oregon state law affords some leeway for counties to decide what to do when a dog — any dog, not just one working for law enforcement — injures livestock. The break down is for a dog’s first offense, Columbia County is required to impose a fine between $250 and $1,000. Commissioners have the option of requiring the dog be surrendered or removed to a location where it can’t threaten livestock. There are nuclear options for bad dogs. County leaders can have the dog euthanized.
