Gay man claims police dog handler set German shepherd on him in homophobic attack
Victim, 55, alleges he was set upon by the beast without warning as he walked in Manchester cemetery with a pal
A GAY man claims he was brutally attacked by a police dog after being subjected to a homophobic slur by its uniformed handler.
The 55-year-old, who asked not to be identified, claims he was savaged by the canine without warning as he walked through a Manchester cemetery with a pal.
When the officer arrived on the scene a short time afterwards the bite victim alleges he called him a “dirty b******” before setting his animal on him again.
Speaking from his hospital bed, he said: “All I can remember is this dog running towards me.
“At first I thought it was a pit bull but as it bit into my leg I realised it was a German Shepherd type.
“An officer appeared and he had a torch or a camera with a light that he was shining on the dog. That’s how I could see its teeth ripping into my leg.
“The handler pulled the dog off and when he saw my friend he thought we were up to no good. He said ‘You dirty b*****d’.
“He set the dog onto me again. He didn’t do anything to stop it. It was like he was taking pleasure in seeing me attacked. I’d say the attack lasted for about three minutes, which trust me, is a long time when you’re being bitten by a dog.”
The alleged attack took place at around 3am on August 31.
“I keep having flashbacks,” he added. “I’ll never be able to go near a police dog again.”
The bite victim said the dog handler was joined by at least two other police officers around five minutes later, they then called an ambulance.
The man, who has been in hospital for two weeks with multiple lacerations to his legs, said there has been virtually no follow up from GMP since the attack.
His brother added: “I’m furious about the entire situation.
“Being attacked by a police dog is one thing. But being called a dirty b*****d and having a dog set on you because you’re gay is another.
“That dog handler should be suspended.”
A GMP spokesman said they were not able to comment because the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission(IPCC).
“The case has been referred to the IPCC and we are waiting on a decision,” a spokesman said.
“Therefore, it is inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
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