A police dog has been shot dead after it turned on his female handler while searching for a missing person. The dog, PD Jax had served with Lancashire Police for more than five years.

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It was killed by the armed officers after the animal’s handler suffered a leg injury. 

The force said officers were forced to kill the animal after it “became aggressive” during a search for a missing person in a village near Preston, Lancashire, this morning. 

The police dog handler suffered a serious upper leg injury and is availing treatment in the hospital. 

Police said attempts were made to restrain the dog but these “failed”.

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The force added: “All efforts to restrain the dog failed and given the continuing threat to the injured officer and other patrols, PD Jax was shot at the scene by armed officers, and sadly died.”

The incident occurred when the force was searching for a missing person in a field in Walton-le-Dale.

Supt Hassan Khan, of Lancashire Police, said the force had been left devastated by what happened and the outcome. 

Mr Khan 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.

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“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.”

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

“Given the circumstances the incident will be reviewed in due course.”

No members of the public were involved in the incident. The force said the missing person was later found safe and well. The Malinois dog, thought to be around six years old, was specially trained in finding people hiding in water. 

Previously, PD Jax had sniffed out offenders hiding in the canal, and in 2020 chased down a drunk driver who fled the scene after crashing a car. 

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