Hampshire Constabulary is dealing with a lawsuit for £65,000 in damages after one among their police canine allegedly savaged a scholar with out warning.

The incident occurred three years in the past on May 5, 2020, leaving the sufferer fearing for his life.

Ben Forster, 23, had been celebrating his college examination outcomes at his girlfriend's home in Southampton when he began to really feel in poor health.

The trainee chartered accountant went exterior barefoot to get some recent air, whereupon the terrifying assault is alleged to have occurred.

Mr Forster was purportedly set upon by a big police canine referred to as Ernie, who bit his leg, abdomen and ankle.

The 23-year-old claimed he heard neither warning shouts nor barking, earlier than Ernie allegedly sank his tooth into him.

Officers then rushed to the scene, pushing his face onto the pavement earlier than bundling him right into a police van.

Mr Forster claims that he was taken to Southampton General Hospital for remedy after officers realised he was "bleeding profusely" from a head wound.

He was then taken to the native police station the place he was formally arrested on suspicion of driving dangerously and failing to cease.

However, officers launched him with out cost after they realised that they had mistaken him for another person.

Following the alleged assault, Mr Forster claims that he suffered from psychological signs together with anxiousness, flashbacks, and issues sleeping, and was prescribed antidepressants.

He is suing police for damages for false imprisonment, assault and battery, breach of the Animals Act 1971, and negligence.

Mr Forster additionally alleges the canine had not been correctly skilled or assessed for operational duties.

There are over 2,500 police canine employed amongst the assorted forces within the UK, with the Belgian Malinois as the most well-liked breed for general-purpose work.

All British police canine, no matter the self-discipline they're skilled in, should be licensed to work operationally.

The requirements required to develop into operational are laid down by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) sub-committee on police canine.

Express.co.uk has contacted Hampshire Constabulary for remark.