A man is claiming an accident compensation pay-out following injuries he sustained whilst police were shooting a dangerous dog.
According to The Crewe Chronicle, Ivan Pearce’s neck was injured during the incident, which took place in November last year.
The police were on their way to a property adjoining Mr Pearces’ following the escape of two dogs – an adult Rottweiller and an American Bulldog puppy – that were deemed to be dangerous and out of control.
The Rottweiler had already attacked both a police officer and a member of the public and had caused injuries severe enough to need treatment in hospital. The police decided to shoot the dog as it began jumping up at other members of the public, and they felt the need to step in to prevent any further injuries.
Mr Pearce was watching the police and the dog through his window and was hit and injured in the neck by a ricochet from the shooting.
Following the incident, his window was boarded up by the police and he was given medical attention. He has now confirmed that he is claiming accident compensation as a result of his injuries.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police told the newspaper that they had ‘no other option’ other than to shoot the dog, as they feared it would cause harm to other members of the public. He also went on to say that correct protocols for using firearms were followed.