Criticism as police dogs muzzled

North Wales Police have denied they muzzle dogs to prevent suspected criminals suing if they are bitten.

The force is muzzling Belgian Malinois dogs and training them to jump on suspects, rather than bite them.

Deputy chief constable Clive Wolfendale said: "Instead of biting, the dog is muzzled and launches itself like a missile at the midriff of the target."

The move has been called "nonsense" by an animal behaviour psychologist, who claims the dogs risk neck injuries.

Muzzling the dogs allows us to deploy them more often and in a wider variety of situations Clive Wolfendale

The force's website said they stopped using German shepherds in 2000, and replaced them with the Belgian breed, which can work longer.

Deputy chief Clive Wolfendale also revealed the dogs were now muzzled.

A spokeswoman said: "The dogs are not muzzled to prevent compensation claims or for human rights reasons.

"Muzzling the dogs allows us to deploy them more often and in a wider variety of situations."

Neck injuries

But animal behaviour psychologist Roger Mugford said: "It's absolute nonsense.

"It's bad for the dog and it's certainly bad for the community.

"Dogs don't like wearing muzzles, especially in hot weather or when doing exercise."

Dr Mugford also said the animals would be subjected to "incredible force" by throwing themselves at targets.

"It's bound to lead to neck injuries to dogs," he added.