Police dog bite boy to get cash payout after Oldbury attack
The family of a boy who was attacked by a police dog in a back garden in Oldbury will receive compensation, West Midlands Police have revealed.
Tom Cutbill, 11, suffered serious wounds above and below the knee – one two-and-a-half inches wide – after the dog handler entered his grandmother's garden while looking for a metal thief.
Bosses at West Midlands Police Force said they were waiting to find out the extent of Tom's treatment before determining the sum to give to the family.
Tom, of Rowley Regis, was bitten on his right leg during the incident and had to have stitches.
Police had been called to Western Road to carry out a search following a report of a metal theft at Langley Green train station.
The German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois cross was helping search for the suspects in nearby New Henry Street and is believed to have followed Tom's uncle, Gareth Chappell, into the back garden in June. The dog was was on a leash.
After the attack, West Midlands Police launched an investigation.
Police spokesman Pete Edney said: "The boy's injuries will be assessed at a future date to determine what, if any, further treatment he will receive."
After the attack Tom's grandmother Bev Bakewell, 52, of New Henry Street, said: "Tom was playing in the back garden fixing his scooter in the shed. I heard screaming and when I looked out the window there was a policeman out there with this great big dog which hold of Tom's leg."
After the attack police revealed both the officer and the German Shepherd, called Shadow, have been allowed to stay on duty.
