Police dog policy review needed, says family of Calgary boy bitten

Family of a 12-year-old boy attacked by a police dog in his own home are calling for a review of the practice of allowing the animals to live with their handlers.

"They're of the view the relevant authoritiesthe police, bylaw, department of justiceshould take a review of keeping these dogs in the community," lawyer Barry Steinfeld told the Calgary Eyeopener.

"If they are to remain in the community, I think very rigorous standards and inspections have to be made of the dog handler's premises to ensure the dogs cannot get out."

Ali Hassan was playing outside his family's Aspen Hills home March 30 when a police dog, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois named Marco, escaped from a nearby yard.

• Calgary police dog handler charged after canine bites Calgary boy
• Police dog bites Calgary boy

Ali ran away and the dog gave chase.

"The dog chased him into the home," said Steinfeld.

"Ali tried to shut the kitchen door that opened into the garage on the dog. The dog forced its way in and attacked Ali in the kitchen in front of his mother, siblings and elderly grandparents who were there visiting."

Ali was bitten in the leg, suffering what bylaw officials rated as a five on the Dunbardog bitescale, wheresixis death.

The handler is facing four charges, includingallowing a dog to run at large and another of an animal attacking a person and causing severe injury.

Previous incident

The officer is also facing two charges from a separate, previous incident that saw his pet Doberman and Marco escape from their yard and run at large March 11.

The charges require a mandatory court appearance and penalties can be up to a $10,000 fine.

Police will now do an administrative review of the incident.

Supt. Blair White told reporters Marco has since been sent back to the American kennel where police got him, and he will likely be redeployed to another police agency.

The handler remains with the canine unit performing patrol duties, and White said he will be assigned another dog.

Steinfeld said he will also be filing a claim seeking compensation for Ali's injuries.

This was the third time a police doghas gotten away from its handler while off duty, said White.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS|Deadly stabbing in northwest Calgary was domestic incident, police say
• MORE CALGARY NEWS|Calgary Flames to announce new head coach

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener