Of those, dogs were tactically deployed 13 times in 2018, 26 times in 2019 and 18 times in 2020. Four people required hospital treatment for police dog bites last year, and five in 2019. "Our dogs and dog handlers receive very robust training and are regularly validated throughout their working life." All dog bite cases were reviewed by a dog handler’s supervisor and a commissioned officer of police. Dogs undergo a 37-week training course before becoming operational.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2021 15:33 UTC