Two ‘dangerous’ dogs shot by London police: Vigil at Scotland Yard by group which disrupted Grand National

A vigil will be held for two “dangerous” dogs shot dead by police in east London on Sunday (May 7).

The Met Police was called at just after 5pm to a report of a woman being attacked in Commercial Road, Limehouse. Police say they found a woman who reported two dogs had attacked her own dog. She had suffered an injury to her leg but did not require hospital treatment.

The Met says officers found a man with two aggressive dogs and video footage, filmed by the canal towards Poplar, showing the dogs being shot and a Taser being fired in the course of the arrest. A man has since been charged with two offences.

The group Animal Rising, which recently disrupted the Grand National, has organised a vigil for Thursday May 11, at 8pm outside Scotland Yard. The organisation said people are encouraged to bring placards, and candles will be provided.

A spokesperson said the video of the two dogs being shot “is heartbreaking to watch”.

They said: “We are inviting people to come down to our vigil at Scotland Yard this Thursday at 8pm, to mourn the two dogs who had their lives taken and make it clear actions like this from the Met Police will not be ignored by a nation of people that love animals.”

They also criticised the Met’s policing of the Coronation on Saturday, when dozens of protesters were arrested. Animal Rising said 14 of its supporters were arrested.

In April more than 100 Animal Rising supporters were arrested for disrupting the Grand National over horse welfare concerns.

Met Police

The Met Police says its Directorate of Professional Standards has conducted a review of the incident on Sunday, including all of the available body worn footage, and is satisfied that there are no concerns around officer conduct in the incident on Sunday.

Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has defended the Met’s Policing of Saturday’s Coronation, saying: “We do everything we can to respect protest.”

New legislation was brought in ahead of the Coronation, giving police new powers to crack down on protesters suspected of planning to cause disruption.

The Met has faced criticism for the arrests of members of Westminster’s night safety team, for carrying rape alarms. Sir Mark said intelligence was received that protesters would use rape alarms and loud hailers, which could make military horses dangerously distressed.

He added: “While we said that our tolerance for disruption of the Coronation celebrations was low, it was not zero. I must challenge those claiming there was a ‘protest ban’ around the Coronation. This is simply not accurate. There were hundreds of undisturbed protestors along the route including a large group in Trafalgar Square, although small in comparison to the tens of thousands seeking to enjoy the event.”

The force did express “regret” that six members of the anti-monarchy group Republic were unable to join the protest after they were arrested. They have been released with no further action.

Dangerous dog charges

Louie Turnbull, 46, of no fixed address, has been charged with being the person/owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control and being in possession/custody of a dog whilst disqualified from owning or keeping a dog.