A police officer has been hospitalised after a police dog became aggressive and turned on its handler.

The dog, PD Jax, became aggressive during a search for a missing person in Walton-le-Dale in Lancashire on Thursday morning.

The handler is now in hospital with serious injuries and Jax has been shot and killed, Lancashire Police said.

Attempts to restrain the dog after it had bitten the handler failed, the Mirror reports, so it had to be put down.

A spokesman for the police force said: ‘Around 5.15am today we were searching for a missing person in a field off Higher Walton Road, Walton-le-Dale.

‘During the search a police dog became aggressive, biting its police dog handler, causing serious injuries.

‘Further patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene with attempts made to restrain the dog.

‘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 police dog handler suffered a serious upper leg injury and remains in hospital at this time.

‘No members of the public were involved in the incident.’

Superintendent Hassan Khan added the force is ‘devastated by what has happened’ and their thoughts are with the injured handler.

He added: ‘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.

‘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. 

‘Given the circumstances the incident will be reviewed in due course.’

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