Teenager sustained injuries to his neck and shoulder after police use dog in arrest

A teenager was taken to hospital with injuries after a police patrol dog was used to chase him down. Read why his charges were dropped.

A police dog has latched on to an unarmed teenage boy in Alice Springs in an arrest that is now under investigation by the NT Ombudsman.

Following the incident, the 16-year-old was taken to hospital for injuries to his shoulder and neck, which the NT Police said was “standard procedure”.

Police initially gave the teenager a summons for unlawful use of a motor vehicle but later dropped all charges.

It is understood two teenagers were driving through Alice Springs in an allegedly stolen car on November 6 when police used a tyre deflation device to stop the vehicle.

The two teens, aged 16 and 19, then ran away from police along Undoolya Drive before patrol dog Fitzy chased down the younger boy and subdued him.

The teen was believed to be unarmed, fleeing on foot and with his back to police when the dog was allowed off the lead.

Commander Craig Laidler walks through Alice Springs’ Todd Mall with police dog handler Harry Vincent and patrol dog Quake. Picture: NT Police

The boy suffered bite injuries to his neck and shoulder and was later taken to hospital.

The use of force was referred to the NT Ombudsman on November 9 and is still under investigation.

Spokeswoman for the NT Ombudsman, Peter Shoyer, said investigations were required under the act to be “conducted in private” and there were strict confidentiality requirements.

“Reports on the outcome of investigations are provided to complainants and, in some cases, information is publicly disclosed,” the spokeswoman said.

In October last year, Police Minister Kate Worden said she didn’t support dog squads in Alice Springs.

At the same time, Deputy Mayor Eli Melky introduced a motion to contract private security and dog patrols for the town using public donations, however the motion was withdrawn before council could discuss it.

Acting Children’s Commissioner Nicole Hucks said she was aware of the incident but had referred it to the NT Ombudsman as it required an investigation into police conduct.

The incident was revealed as Alice Springs mayor Matt Patterson repeatedly called for tactics used during John Howard’s 2007 Intervention to be reinstated, including the potential for military resources, alcohol bans and Australian Federal Police deployment.