A dangerous dog that injured a police officer during a traffic stop has been shot dead after three days on the run.

Armed police put the animal down on Monday evening in Poole, Dorset, following a tip-off from a local resident who saw the dog wandering around the Talbot Village area. The canine was identified as an American Bully breed.

Dorset Police were alerted at approximately 1pm and endeavoured for hours to safely apprehend the fugitive dog. Ultimately, officers had to resort to lethal force due to the risk it posed to the public.

A Dorset Police spokesperson told Bournemouth News Agency: "Regrettably, having explored all other options, the dog was put down by officers due to the ongoing threat it posed to the public. The decision was made after exploring all other contingencies while balancing the safety to the public." 

The incident began when the American Bully's lead left its owners' grasp at 10.30pm on Friday (April 4) on Coy Pond Road in Poole. According to the police statement, this occurred as Dorset Police Sgt Mark Moreland-Francis was investigating their vehicle following reports of suspicious behaviour.

The suspect allegedly released the dog's lead as he exited his car, which then caused "substantial" injuries to Sgt Moreland-Francis's arm before fleeing the scene. Both the man and the dog evaded capture initially, with Dorset Police confirming that the pair were initially unaccounted for.

Sgt. Moreland-Francis received treatment for puncture wounds at the site, amid an immediate search for the animal and its owner.

However on Saturday, police arrested a 32-year-old man from London, Andre Harold Willis, who has been charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, and driving whilst disqualified and driving without valid insurance.

The police's search for the dangerous dog lasted three days, with specialist officers and drones deployed to track the animal. Yet, the crucial tip-off came from a Poole resident on Monday that led to the American Bully being found.

The Dorset Police spokesperson continued: "We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding as we responded to this incident and would particularly like to thank members of the public who provided information to assist with locating the dog."