Former Hampshire police dog '˜panicked' when it repeatedly bit a pensioner

A FORMER Thames Valley and Hampshire police dog was 'frustrated' when it attacked a frail pensioner, an inquest has heard.

Irene Collins, 73, was attacked by Dano the German shepherd in July 2014, after the dog got into her kitchen during major operation to find an escaped drug dealer.

Mrs Collins, who had terminal lung cancer and emphysema, was bitten on the arm, leg and breast and required emergency surgery for a broken arm and skin grafts.

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Her inquest at Teeside Magistrates' Court explained that she died in hospital four days after the attack.

Dano was bought by Cleveland Police for £500 from Thames Valley and Hampshire Police '“ though the Cleveland team was unaware Dano had a history of biting 10 people on his record.

Her son Eric Collins said he spoke to her mother in hospital where she told him what happened.

He said: '˜She said a dog came into the kitchen, she stood still expecting the dog to stay until the handler came in but the next thing she was pulled down and banged her head on the kitchen unit.

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'˜She kept saying numerous times the dog was out of control.'

Chief Inspector Annie Reavley, of Nottinghamshire Police '“ who carried out an official review of what happened '“ believes that Dano reacted after seeing PC Jobling on the roof of the property.

She said: '˜The only assumption we can come up with is the dog has located PC Jobling and the dog has then at that point become frustrated.'

Pathologist Dr Mark Egan said Mrs Collins may have only had weeks to live when the incident happened.

Dano was put down after the incident.

(Proceeding)