Dog bites police handler's face

Photo / Thinkstock

A police dog handler is recovering at home after he was bitten in the face by his own police dog during an armed offenders squad callout.

Dunedin-Clutha police area commander Inspector Dave Campbell said the six-year-old dog was euthanased by a vet yesterday.

The officer received "a number" of stitches, but the Otago Daily Times understands he had up to 50 stitches to his face.

He was a highly trained and experienced dog handler.
Police say the officer would return to work after a week, and allocated a new dog on his return.