A TEENAGE girl being bitten on the buttock in Sidmouth was among 150 police dog attacks on innocent people in the UK in the past three years.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed a 19-year-old female was attacked by an animal while it was tracking down a violent offender in the town - and she ‘surprised’ it at a road junction.
The incident happened in June 2012 and was one of six in the area covered by Devon and Cornwall Police.
Attacks which took place between 2009 and 2012 also included a 10-year-old girl being bitten on the left arm in Exeter when a dog became over-excited when out with an officer on foot patrol.
Other incidents disclosed by the force happened in Liskeard, Kingskerswell, North Devon and Newquay.
The constabulary will not say how much compensation was paid to each claimant as it could lead to the victims being identified.
Police forces in the UK said they handed out a total of £120,000 in compensation between 2011 and 2013.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here