Police and the Langley Animal Protection Society are investigating an RCMP officer whose dogs have bit three people in Langley.
Mounties have launched an internal investigation into incidents involving police dogs living in Brookswood with their handler, North Vancouver Const. Shaun Brozer.
Brozer told the Langley Advance News on Thursday that he is building a fence, and that he is dealing with the matter through his supervisor, Staff Sgt. Tom Haworth.
"It's very unfortunate," said Haworth. "It's a bad situation."
Haworth, who blames himself for not being on top of the situation, has spoken to those involved in the bitings, and with Brozer, and said he has cleared the matter up.
"Everyone appears to be happy," he said, noting that Brozer is "a wonderful guy, a great dog handler who made a mistake."
The police investigation was launched after Langley RCMP learned of the bitings.
"We are aware that the incidents occurred here in Langley with Const. Brozer's dogs," said Langley RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dale Carr. "The incidents are now being investigated by the staff sergeant in charge of the provincial police dog unit."
The first incident occurred three years ago, when a gardener's helper working near 200th St. and 37A Ave. was bitten by police dog Chaser.
Last May, an eight-year-old boy, who was playing in Brozer's yard with his children, was bitten by police dog Ramo, who was on a long leash.
The dog was later put down.
The third attack occurred on March 20 when police dog Astro ran into a neighbour's yard and bit a gardener in the arm.
Langley Animal Protection Society is also investigating the bitings.
"The concern is there seems to be a pattern or a history involving the constable," said senior animal control officer Darcy Devos. "It comes down to the handler's responsibility, or lack thereof. He knows what the dogs are capable of."
"These dogs are used for public safety, and instead, the public is scared of the dogs," said Devos, who is collecting information and statements from neighbours.
He is also trying to verify reports that the police dogs have attacked other dogs in the community.
After reviewing the information, LAPS will consider a number of options, Devos said, including labelling Brozer's dog as "dangerous."
Under Langley Township bylaws, dangerous dogs must be kept in a six-sided kennel which includes a roof and cement floor, and on a leash and muzzle when outside of the kennel.
The police dog's containment would be required when it was not on duty, Devos said.
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