Police dog injured by brick during disorder

Police dog Vixen suffered a gash to her head after the brick was thrown

A police dog was injured when she was struck by a brick thrown during violent disorder at a hotel.

Vixen suffered a gash over her right eye while trying to stop one of the rioters at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth, Staffordshire, on Sunday.

Her wound was treated and she was expected to return to work in a couple of days, Staffordshire Police said.

The force said three police dogs and six officers were injured in total during the disorder in Tamworth and Stoke-on-Trent at the weekend.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Ellison said officers faced “mindless violence” and showed “exceptional bravery” during the incidents.

He said police dogs were considered just as important as their “human counterparts” and called on people to help identify those responsible.

“The violence seen in Tamworth has been abhorrent, with two other police dogs injured too, and I know members of the public will be disgusted that a beautiful animal like Vixen has been harmed whilst trying to keep people safe.”

People on Facebook described what happened to Vixen as "disgusting", with many wishing her a speedy recovery.

Police said Vixen would be back at work in a couple of days

The disorder across the country came in the wake of a fatal stabbing of three children in Southport a week ago.

The riots were fuelled in part by false claims that the suspect was Muslim and a refugee.

Tamworth’s Holiday Inn Express had been used “for years” to accommodate asylum seekers, the area’s MP Sarah Edwards said in July.

IHG, the owner of the Holiday Inn brand, said its priority was the safety and security of its guests and colleagues.

Police have set up a portal for people with pictures, video and other evidence to get in touch.