THREE police dogs were injured on duty in the Southport riots, with protestors hurling bricks at two and fire burning a third.
PD Ike, PD Zoe and PD Quga all suffered injuries during the rioting that erupted in the Merseyside town on Tuesday following the tragic deaths of three children in a knife attack perpetrated by a 17-year-old.
The three police pooches were on duty with their handlers working to restore order to the area when Ike and Zoe were struck by bricks and Quga was badly burned.
Thankfully all three Merseyside Police dogs survived the traumatic night and the Thin Blue Paw – a national charity supporting serving and retired police dogs – have since shared an update on the pups and wished them a speedy recovery.
Images of two of the injured dogs shared to social media show them looking into the camera outside a police station and in the back of a police vehicle.
Sadly, Quga’s burn came after further injuries already suffered earlier in July, when she was bitten, strangled and beaten by an offender.
However, all three pups are reportedly all on the road to recovery with Thin Blue Paw wishing them all the best.
More than 50 police officers were injured alongside the dogs during the far-right riots which also saw five men arrested.
The news was shared to social media by the charity yesterday with the caption: “Last night three police dogs from Merseyside suffered injuries on duty whilst assisting with the violent disorder that took place in Southport.
“PD Zoe and PD Ike sustained leg injuries from bricks thrown at them, and PD Quga who was bitten, strangled and kicked by an offender at the beginning of this month at a separate incident, suffered further injuries yesterday evening, with burns to her back leg.
“Thank you for your bravery PDs Zoe, Ike and Quga, we’re wishing you a speedy recovery.”
The post received over 10,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments from social media users in an outpouring of support for the trio.
One user said: “This is extremely disturbing and upsetting to hear. Wishing them all a speedy recovery and thanking their handlers for their bravery and professionalism.”
Another wrote: “Service dogs do an amazing job. People throwing bricks at them? Rabid and awful behaviour. Hope they recover well.”
A third commented: “Harming a police dog should be a mandatory prison sentence in a very small cage for a very long time.”
Another added: “It’s heartbreaking. Someone please wrap them in kindness on behalf of us all – the normal people in society.”
A fifth replied: “I hope all those who committed acts of violence against humans, animals and/or property are held to account.”
