Police Dog Bites

I refer to your recent request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as set out below:

I am requesting information regarding the number of attack, by police dogs on innocent members of the public. For example, if a police dog, whilst on duty has attacked the wrong person during a chase, or at a football match. I would like statistics of the number of attacks by dogs in your force in the last ten years. I would also like to know the nature and outcome of the attack, for example whether compensation was given to the victim.

If this exceeds the cost limit, then I would like to know just the outcome of the attack rather than the nature. If this continues to exceed the cost limit, then please may I have the information for the last five years.

I am also requesting information about the number of police dogs, having completed their training and been accepted into the police force, that have been discharged due to concerns about their temperament, or ferocity, or following attacks from you police force. I would like the information listed from the past ten years, and the reason for their discharge.

If this exceeds the cost limit, then please may I have the information for the past five years only (2004-2009).

I have applied for this information because it's my understanding that it is not available through other channels. If this is not the case please confirm that the information is available elsewhere and where I can aquire it from.

If my request in denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act.

In accordance with section 1 (1) (b) of the Act our response is provided below;

Please see the following web pages as I believe that your questions may be answered via the following information and is therefore exempt in accordance with section 21 (1) of the Act:  Previous Dog Handler Disclosure