A police dog has been shot and killed after it turned on its handler and attacked her.

Lancashire Police teams were searching for a missing person in Walton-le-Dale when PD Jax became aggressive, biting the handler and causing serious injuries.

Further patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene and attempted to restrain the dog, a Belgian Malinois.

But all efforts failed and PD Jax was shot by armed officers.

The police dog handler suffered a serious upper leg injury and remains in hospital.

No members of the public were harmed.

Read more:
Teenager arrested after video shows cat being thrown off cliff
Murder investigation under way as tributes paid to teenager stabbed to death in Ormskirk

Matthew Daulby: Murder investigation under way as tributes paid to teenager stabbed to death in Ormskirk

Ormskirk stabbing: Teenager dies and 19-year-old injured as two people are arrested

Teenager arrested after video shows cat being thrown off cliff in Lancashire

Injured handler ‘receiving full support’

Superintendent Hassan Khan, of Lancashire Police, said: “This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused, whether to officers, or members of the public.

“We would never put anyone at risk of further harm.

“These are highly trained, working dogs which do a skilled job, but like any dog can present a danger in certain circumstances.

“We know how much our dogs are loved by the people of Lancashire and beyond, as well as our own staff.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

“We have been left devastated by what has happened and the outcome of this incident.

“Our thoughts are very much with the injured officer while she undergoes treatment for serious leg injuries and she is receiving our full support.”

Related posts:

‘A true hero’: Lorry driver praised for parking under motorway bridge to stop man jumping off it Neo-Nazi student who carved swastika into girlfriend’s buttocks guilty of terror offences UK records 133 more COVID deaths and another 34,950 cases Stars ready to join Prince William for ceremony recognising best ideas for tackling climate change ‘Have you never wanted to moonie a speed camera?’ Police fail to see funny side as they arrest terminally ill man Met Police investigating death threats against Starmer following PM’s Savile ‘slur’ PM goes nuclear in bid to build case for energy independence plan Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney: The ‘Wagatha Christie’ case explained Scammers pretend to be striking paramedics to trick people into giving donations Police release man arrested over New IRA claim on detective’s shooting Braverman ‘encouraged’ by talks with human rights court in push to have migrants sent to Rwanda ‘Butchered’ by ‘trophy hunters’: Hunt for missing head of rare shark which washed up on UK beach