Mike_p wrote: ↑Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:11 am
Guard dogs are a very tricky issue. They're great for making somewhere look well guarded, but if they bite anyone the handler is liable to get into a lot of trouble. IIRC, the Dangerous Dogs Act has exceptions for police dogs and military dogs but not for private security dogs. If someone is injured the dog will be deemed to be dangerously out of control.
You are absolutely correct Mike, ACPO (or whatever its successor is) place dogs as the second highest form of non-lethal force ,behind Baton Rounds and well ahead of Tasers. Having been bitten quite a few times; albeit well padded; it's not a trivial matter.
Where they come into there own is for detection and warning followed by deterrence and finally; in extremis; protecting the handler. In the case of Peel Avenue, having "Fang" around is going to very quickly alert the handler to someone attempting to make a quiet entry to the property and a GSD on the other side of the door explaining the finer points of dismemberment is likely to make the intruder (even Neelu) question the wisdom of what they are doing. This should give the handler time to call for police assistance.
Should the intruder gain entry to the property, a civilian security dog should not be released in an attempt to detain them. It should be kept on the lead and may be used to further deter and assist contain the intruder(s) until help arrives. If the handler is threatened and in fear for his safety then the use of the dog in a direct role is the same as an other form of force used in self defence, i.e. it must be proportionate. I would suggest that if anyone is prepared to persist in the face of the presence of the dog then allowing "Fang" to have a nibble would probably be justified, particularly if it's all on camera.
A final thought, if it's a police or service dog and a Malinois don't even think about it because you'll make its day.
TheRambler