POLICE tasered a man and shot his two dogs dead in front of screaming witnesses on the Regent's Canal towpath at Limehouse.
The scene posted on social media showed officers pursuing the man holding the two dogs on a short lead along the canal on Sunday afternoon, Roger Fox reports.
Screaming
Witnesses in the surrounding area and the flats could be heard screaming as the first animal was shot, with one shouting' why kill the dog'? Then the second one was shot dead.
In response the police told that they 'have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused'.
There was no intimation of anyone being injured or needing medical attention.
In police custody
A police spokesman told:
"A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences. He has been taken into police custody.
“A Taser was discharged by police. No person was taken to hospital.
“Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene.
“This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused.
“The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards will review the circumstances of the incident.”
Limehouse MP Apsana Begum told that she was seeking answers from police about the 'distressing' shooting.
The fact that the dogs were clearly shown to be on short leads has bearing on the shooting.