Man 'ordered dog to kill officer'

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A man set his dog on a police officer telling the animal to "kill him" during a robbery attempt, a court has heard.

Off-duty Pc Scott Tiffin was on his way home, in September 2009, when two dogs attacked his leg and ankle, in Coburg Road, Wood Green, north London.

The dogs, free with "the scent of blood in their nostrils", Wood Green Crown Court heard, also bit another officer.

Mehmet Koc and Matthew Joannou, both 19, deny wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and attempted robbery.

'I'm going to get my dog to kill you' Mr Joannou allegedly told Pc Scott Tiffin

Pc Tiffin was returning home after policing the Notting Hill carnival, when Mr Koc and Mr Joannou, both from New River Estate, Wood Green, tried to steal his rucksack which contained police gear, the court heard.

Prosecutor David Ryan said: "They deliberately and intentionally set two dogs upon one, in the first instance, off duty police officer."

"The defendant, Joannou, said 'I'm going to get my dog to kill you' then commanded the dog with the words 'kill him' to attack the off-duty police officer."

Another off-duty officer heard the victim's cries and they managed to escape and phoned his colleagues for help.

The dogs continued to "run wild" with "the scent of blood in their nostrils" as the defendants walked towards their home in the nearby estate, Mr Ryan said.

When confronted by uniformed officers, the dogs attacked one of them, Pc Mark Feasey, the court heard.

After they were arrested both men claimed they tried to call their dogs off during the attacks.

Mr Joann also denies a further charge of unlawful wounding and being the owner of a dog that caused injury while out of control in a public place in relation to the attack on Pc Feasey.

The case continues.