Man Charged After Police Dog Injured in Aberdeen Incident

Image credits: STV News

A dramatic incident unfolded in the Seaforth Road area of Aberdeen on Friday afternoon, where a man reportedly wielding a knife was repeatedly struck by a police car as officers attempted to disarm him. The man, who has been charged with various offences, including one under the Animal Welfare Act, was taken to hospital for treatment. Footage of the incident shows the man flipping over the car bonnet before getting up and striding towards another officer. Eventually, police closed in on the man, using a car and a police dog to cut him off, resulting in the dog being stabbed and taken to a vet for treatment.

Police Scotland has reported that officers used "specialist tactics" to protect the public and themselves from harm, and a knife was recovered from the scene. The injured police dog, identified as six-year-old Belgian Malinois Zeus, is hoped to make a "speedy recovery". The incident has been reported to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), and the man is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday. Seaforth Road was closed at the junction with Park Road for investigation work to be carried out and has since been reopened.

The police have assured the public that they believe this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public. Superintendent Ross Kelly expressed his thoughts with Police Dog Zeus and his handler, hoping for a speedy recovery, and emphasized that police dogs are an important and valuable resource, and attacks on them will not be tolerated. The dog branch plays a crucial role in keeping people safe, and the value these highly skilled animals bring to policing cannot be overstated.

Members of the public with any concerns have been encouraged to speak to officers in the area, and anyone with information about the incident has been urged to contact Police Scotland on 101. The incident has sparked a significant response from the police, with scores of officers and numerous police vehicles present at the scene. The area was locked down as the force continued its investigation into the alleged incident, with blue tape blocking access to the entrance of the nearby Trinity Cemetery.

A timeline of events is as follows: * Friday afternoon: A man is reported to be wandering around Aberdeen with a knife, prompting a police response. * Friday evening: The man is involved in a dramatic collision with a police car and is eventually subdued with the help of a police dog. * Saturday: Seaforth Road is reopened after investigation work is completed. * Monday: The 27-year-old man is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to face charges related to the incident. The police continue to investigate the incident and have urged anyone with information to come forward.