Rioters abuse the Force and injure police dog
A police dog who received a fractured skull at the riots in Tottenham continued to assist his master for hours afterwards despite his injury.
Three year old German Shepherd Obi, who is part of the Force along with his handler PC Phil Wells, began his descent into the wretched hive of scum and villainy on Tottenham High Road shortly after the civil unrest began. When rioters turned their attention to the police, Obi was hit near his left eye. Despite blood pouring from his nose, the brave dog fought on in an effort to contain the riot.
Officer Wells, who has looked after Obi since he was a two month old pup, believes that thugs deliberately targeted him. He told the Daily Mail:
“Obi is trained in public order, and that may be dispersing a crowd or pushing them back. We were on a stationary point when we came under heavy bombardment.
“There were lots of missiles coming at us, bottles, bricks, petrol bombs, street furniture, too many to count and one hit Obi on the top of the head.
“Initially he was a bit shocked but I gave him a check-over and tried to avoid any further injuries and after the initial shock he seemed fine so we carried on for another couple of hours.”
However, poor Obi soon became lethargic, which is a sign of serious head trauma. He was rushed to the vet. A CT scan showed that his skull was fractured, and he needed immediate surgery. It proved to be a heart rendering moment for PC Wells. He said:
“Although he is not a pet – he is a working dog – when he is at home it is family time and he is part of our family.
“He is my best friend and to see him get injured, to see him on a theatre table and you’re not sure what has happened and you’re not sure if it’s touch and go, of course it is very emotional.”
Luckily, the plucky pooch pulled through, and is expected to return to full health and active duty shortly.
