An American Bully dog was shot dead by police marksmen in Poole after a three-day search following its escape and an attack on an officer.
An American Bully dog was shot dead by police marksmen on Monday evening in Poole, Dorset, after a three-day search following the animal’s escape and subsequent attack on an officer. The incident began late on Friday night, April 4, when the dog escaped its owner during a traffic stop. At around 10:30 pm, Dorset Police Sergeant Mark Moreland-Francis approached a vehicle following reports of suspicious activity. As the driver exited the vehicle, he allegedly released the dog, which attacked the officer, causing significant injuries to his arm. Following the attack, both the suspect and the dog fled the scene.
On Saturday, following the incident, police arrested a man identified as 32-year-old Andre Harold Willis from London. He has been charged with multiple offences, including being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, and driving whilst disqualified and without valid insurance.
The search for the American Bully involved specialist officers and the use of drones, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The animal remained at large for three days, with local authorities receiving multiple tips from concerned members of the community. The police received a significant breakthrough when a local resident spotted the dog in the Talbot Village area and promptly contacted the authorities.
Dorset Police were alerted at approximately 1 pm on Monday. Officers invested several hours in attempting to safely capture the escaped dog but ultimately deemed it necessary to employ lethal force due to the ongoing risk it posed to public safety. A police spokesperson stated, “Regrettably, having explored all other options, the dog was put down by officers due to the ongoing threat it posed to the public.” They further elaborated that the decision was made only after considering all available contingencies while prioritising public safety.
This incident has drawn attention to dog control and public safety issues, as well as the challenges faced by police during such unpredictable situations. Dorset Police expressed their gratitude to the community for their support and understanding during the extended search operation, especially thanking those who provided information that aided in locating the dog.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dorset.police.uk/news/community-policing/fatal-shooting-of-dog-involved-in-attack-on-officer/ – This would be a potential source from Dorset Police regarding the incident.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-xx – BBC News is a plausible source for such local news, though the actual URL would depend on the specific article.
- https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/xx-xx-xx-dog-shot-by-police-after-attack-on-officer/ – The Bournemouth Echo might cover local incidents in the Dorset area.
- https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/xx-xx-xx-police-investigate-american-bully-attack/ – This could be another local news source covering the incident.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/dorset-police – The official Dorset Police government page might provide updates or press releases.
- https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/xx-xx-xx-dog-shot-by-police-in-dorset-after-attack – ITV News West Country could also report on this incident.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative appears to be recent as it references specific dates (e.g., Friday, April 4) and ongoing events.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
There is one quote from a police spokesperson, but its earliest known reference could not be identified in a quick search.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, which is a well-known UK publication. However, Express is sometimes criticized for sensationalism.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative describes a plausible series of events involving a dangerous situation with a dog and police. The involvement of specialist officers and drones supports the seriousness of the situation.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, involves plausible events, and originates from a generally recognized publication. While the reliability of Express.co.uk might be questioned in some contexts, the details provided align with what would be expected in such a scenario.
