Liverpool man charged after Staffordshire Police dog stabbed in head
A man has been charged after a Staffordshire Police dog was stabbed in the head.
Dan O'Sullivan, from Liverpool, has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog under the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019.
It follows an incident in Stoke-on-Trent on Monday, where Police Dog Audi was stabbed in the side of the head, and is believed to be one of the first prosecutions since Finn's Law was introduced.
Finn's Law came into force last month and prevents those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence.
It is linked with the Government’s plans to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences to five years in prison and is named after a police dog who was stabbed while chasing a suspect.
Finn suffered serious stab wounds to the chest and head but only criminal damage charges could be brought against his attacker.
O'Sullivan, 29 and from the Litherland area of Liverpool, has been charged with five counts of assaulting police officers, causing unnecessary suffering to an emergency service animal, possession of offensive weapons and affray.
He was due in court in Newcastle-under-Lyme today.
PD Audi is now recovering at home after being injured while trying to help police officers detain a man on Town Road, Hanley, at about 2.15pm on Monday.
Senior Investigating Officer, DI Stephen Ward, said: "We're pleased that no officers came to serious harm and PD Audi is now recovering from his ordeal.
"His injuries seem to be soft tissue-related and he is likely to be out of action for a short time.”
