A teenage boy has admitted attacking a West Midlands Police dog with a machete, causing the dog serious injuries.
The injured dog, PD ‘Stark’ is preparing to return to duty weeks after being attacked after responding to an emergency call that was made by a member of the public.
Stark is due to start a specialist firearms course before eventually returning to duty on the front line.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named owing to his age, appeared in Birmingham Youth Court on 1st December.
He pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed weapon and causing unnecessary suffering to a service animal.
He was bailed and is set to be sentenced on 23 December.
The court heard how the teenager struck three-year-old Stark up to 20 times with a rusty machete.
Handler PC Paul Hopley feared the worst for his courageous sidekick.
Stark suffered nasty cuts to his face, with one blow narrowly missing an eye, but thankfully he’s making a good recovery at home and is set to return to work next week.
PC Hopley said:
“It’s been a hard couple of weeks for Stark: he’s desperate to get back to work.
“Whenever we go outside he sits by the van hoping we’re heading back out on shift.
“We’re on a two-week firearms training course soon, and he’s raring to go.
“The course aims to make sure Stark is comfortable in dynamic, busy incidents and will see us trained to a higher handling level. Ultimately it means he’ll be accredited to attend firearms jobs.”
PD Stark was on the trail of suspected burglars in Handsworth at 4 am on 14 November when the teen emerged from his allotment hiding place armed with a machete.
The court heard how PC Hopley told the 16-year-old – who’s living in Handsworth – several times to put the weapon down, but he continued to “swing the machete wildly”.
He rugby tackled the knifeman to the floor, and Stark helped detain him in the allotments off Larch Avenue.
The boy was arrested and charged days later after he’d received treatment for serious dog bites.
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Brilliant that PD Stark was able to administer a few bites. Bet that nasty piece of work who attacked him will have learnt a lesson. Good to hear handler and PD Stark doing well.
This law of not nameing under age people if this person can attack a dog he should be named an shame ed and may be he won’t think about doing it again. We really must update this system.
I hope the dog makes a full recovery .but they can not talk to anyone how they feel can they.
Why is the SCUM out on bail ? His age is totally irelevant, he should be on remand !
enough with this age protection shit. name and shame these little pricks
It’s about time the law was changed when it comes to naming them due to there age, he is 16 should be named and shamed! If they have done the crime then name them
He was resisting arrest, whether by a policeman or police dog. He was recklessly and with malice aforethought using a dangerous weapon that could have killed both man and dog. I do not care how old he is, he is a real and present danger on our streets. If he behaves like to the police, what would he be capable of doing to a member of the public?
Why then has he been released on bail pending sentence? Has the world gone mad? He should be locked up for a very long time indeed for this action, but instead, he is left to wander about free. Truth really is madder than fiction.