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Around 3:00am on Monday, police responding to calls about a loose dog running in and out of traffic on an unlit stretch of highway in North Wales where drivers commonly travel at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour.
Despite attempts by the Roads Policing Unit, including one that resulted in an officer being bitten, the Foxhound continued weaving through traffic, endangering his own life and the lives of drivers on the road.
So, police opted to run down the loose dog in a patrol car, striking it at “sufficient speed to ensure it was destroyed and would not suffer.”
Below is the police statement in full from Chief Inspector Darren Wareing:
Shortly after 3am on Monday 22nd February, several calls were received in the North Wales Police Control Room concerning a dog which was running loose on the A55 at varying locations between the Llanfairfechan roundabout and the Conwy tunnel.
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit attended and attempts were made to try and catch the dog.
Despite several attempts to catch the dog, it continued to run in and out of traffic. At one point an officer tried to take hold of the dog but was then bitten. Further attempts were made to catch the dog, which was by now running in the middle of an unlit carriageway with approaching traffic having to take avoiding action at speeds in excess of 70mph. One car and a HGV had to swerve to avoid the dog whilst the officers remained on foot in the carriageway.
The potential for a serious collision was present throughout, and in the circumstances there was no alternative way that officers could contain the dog and minimise risks to motorists. The only safe option was to run the dog over at sufficient speed to ensure that it was destroyed and would not suffer. Other methods of destruction were considered, but were ruled out on the grounds of public safety.
Fast roads such as the A55 present inherent risks, and to have vehicles including a HGV having to swerve in the dark was deemed unacceptable as the officers witnessed a number of near misses, and were highly concerned about the potential aftermath of a high speed collision.
Both officers have their own dogs and did not take this decision lightly. Due to the seriousness of the incident it needed bringing to a conclusion quickly for the safety of all concerned.
