Orwell Country Park: 'Out-of-control' dog is shot dead by police
- Published
The incident happened on the shoreline in Orwell Country Park, which lies between the River Orwell estuary and the Gainsborough estate in east Ipswich
A dog has been shot dead by armed police after two people were bitten in a country park.
Specialist police units were called to Orwell Country Park in Ipswich at 19:20 BST on Tuesday to reports the animal itself was "in extreme distress".
The force said the dog was "out of control" and had bitten two people and attacked another dog.
Ch Supt Alice Scott, of Suffolk Police, said: "This was a highly emotive incident for all involved."
Members of the public who were in the park were moved away and out of sight of the dog before it was put down, the force added.
Officers assessed the situation when they arrived and found the dog to be "unstable and in extreme distress" and the force said they were "not able to bring it safely under control".
Two people were treated for bite injuries after an attack by an "out-of-control" dog on Tuesday
Ch Supt Scott added: "This was not an action that was taken lightly but was deemed necessary to protect anyone else from being harmed and to prevent further suffering of the dog.
"Two members of the public have been taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries. The other dog involved also sustained injuries.
"Officers will be conducting additional patrols in the area, and members of the public with any concerns about this incident are encouraged to speak to them."
The force appealed for witnesses.
Dog walker Stephen Didcott said owners were normally receptive to appeals to keep dogs on leads
Dog walker Stephen Didcott told the BBC the area was a "great spot" and popular with other dog walkers, but that pets were often seen off the lead.
"Most people are very good, it's only really a problem for someone like myself who has a dog that finds other dogs difficult - if they're off the lead running loose he has a problem," he said.
"Often dogs are off the lead here."
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