A man at the centre of an armed offenders squad callout in Cannons Creek last night was bitten on the arm by two police dogs after failing to respond to calls from police to surrender.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, head of Kapiti Mana CIB, says police were called to a Cannons Creek house about 9.45pm after two members of the public were threatened by what appeared to be a pistol.
The weapon was subsequently recovered from the house by police and found to be an imitation firearm.
"Porirua Police, the Wellington District Armed Offenders Squad and police negotiators responded and cordoned off the immediate area," he says.
"Based on the known information we believed we were dealing with an armed incident and responded accordingly," Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says.
"The 38-year-old offender failed to respond to repeat calls from police to surrender so in line with our standard operating procedure police took the safest option and sent two police dogs into the house.
"The man was located by the dogs who restrained him by his arm."
Police staff and paramedics at the scene treated the man’s bite injuries and he is now undergoing further treatment at Hutt Hospital.
Detective Senior Sergeant Oxnam says police have still to speak in detail with the man but he’s likely to face charges.
The Police Complaints Authority has been advised of the incident in line with standard practice.
Ends
Released by:
Kaye Calder
Wellington Police District Communications Manager
Tel 04 496 3464 or 0274 373 020