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Bungle the chow: Police-bite puppy seizure sparks anger Bungle the chow-chow: Police-bite puppy released
(about 4 hours later)
Angry dog lovers have demanded the release of a four-month-old puppy locked up for biting a police officer. A four-month-old puppy caged for biting a police officer has been released.
Chow-chow Bungle was under a lorry after escaping from his owner's home when the officer tried to grab him. Bungle the chow-chow was held by Northamptonshire Police for more than four days after escaping from home - sparking anger among pet lovers who demanded his release.
He was seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act and may be held for up to nine months - which his owners branded "draconian and disproportionate". He was seized under the Dangerous Dogs Act but returned earlier after his owners agreed to a Voluntary Control Order (VCO).
Northamptonshire Police said public safety was the "priority in such situations" Police said public safety was the "priority in such situations".
Writing on social media, owner David Hayes said the family pet had sneaked out of the family's gates in Stoke Bruerne, near Towcester, on Friday. Bungle was detained after being spotted under a lorry by an officer, who was bitten as he tried to grab the dog.
'Ridiculous' Writing on social media, owner David Hayes said the pet had sneaked out of the family home in Stoke Bruerne, near Towcester, on Friday.
Mr Hayes said his 15-year-old son Joseph "broke down at school" when he found out he may not see the puppy again until the new year.Mr Hayes said his 15-year-old son Joseph "broke down at school" when he found out he may not see the puppy again until the new year.
He said they were "massively regretful" about the officer's injury but criticised the the "inflexibility" of police's "zero-tolerance stance".He said they were "massively regretful" about the officer's injury but criticised the the "inflexibility" of police's "zero-tolerance stance".
Almost 5,000 people have joined a Facebook campaign demanding Bungle be freed. 'Disgusting and ridiculous'
On the page, the police action has been described as "disgusting" and "ridiculous". Almost 5,000 people joined a Facebook campaign demanding Bungle be freed.
Ch Insp James Willis of Northamptonshire Police said the officer was responding to a traffic hold-up "caused by a dog being loose" and potentially endangering road users. On the page, the police action was described as "disgusting" and "ridiculous".
He said the officer was bitten on the hand and arm but "not seriously hurt". Ch Supt Chris Hillery said the officer who seized Bungle had his "full support".
Ch Insp Willis said the dog was seized as the "owner was not present and there was continued risk". "The dog was unattended in a live carriageway and was aggressive to those present," he said.
He said Bungle would remain under the care of the force's dog legislation officer while the full circumstances of the incident were investigated. "The potential risk posed by the dog at that time is not diminished by its age or that it was frightened.
"Having already bitten the officer twice, causing puncture wounds and bruising, it would have been negligent to release a dog displaying such obvious aggression without first ensuring both the dog's and the wider publics' safety.
"Having gone through a proportionate investigation and risk assessment, the dog has been returned with appropriate conditions to manage any future risk."