Police in clear after boy, 11, bitten by dog

Tom Cutbill, 11, suffered serious wounds above and below the knee which were one two-and-a-half inches wide when a dog handler entered his grandmother's garden while looking for a metal thief.

The terrified youngster had to undergo two skin graft operations and needed 20 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.

Tom had been playing in the garden on his bike when he was attacked. At the time his grandmother Bev Bakewell compared the incident to a horror movie. She added: "I don't think Tom will be able to play in my garden again. His mother and father are just devastated."

West Midlands Police launched an investigation soon after and today the force said its inquiry revealed both the dog and the handler had adhered to national guidelines.

No compensation has been paid out yet but the force has admitted liability.

The police investigation concluded that the youngster, from Rowley Regis, had suffered a single bite wound. It said it was 'tragic incident.'

Spokesman Deb Edmonds said: "The police investigation, which was supervised by the IPCC, is complete and found no misconduct or training issues.

"The dog and handler performed in accordance with national police guidelines and the investigation concluded this was a tragic accident.

"A dog bite expert assessed the injury and found it to be a single bite."

Both the officer and the German Shepherd, called Shadow, were allowed to stay on duty.

Chief Supt Chris McKeogh defended the decision at the time saying the officer had operated within the law.

"You have a dog and a handler operating entirely in compliance," he said.

"He was lawfully engaged in duty. He was lawfully in the back garden."

Mr McKeogh said the day after the attack, both the handler and the dog had been checked by a licensed creditor.

He also said the officer involved was an experienced dog handler who had been 'traumatised' by the attack.

Bleakhouse Junior school pupil Tom was taken to Sandwell Hospital after the attack and was allowed back to his home in Farm Road in Rowley Regis three days later after being given stitches and required crutches to walk.