THE father of a teenager is planning to take legal action after his son was bitten by a police dog.

Brian Walker said his son, Karl, 15, suffered puncture wounds to his right leg during the incident.

The youngster was with three friends on a college playing field when they were approached by a special constable, a police dog and its handler.

Mr Walker, of Grangefield, Stockton, said: "Karl was on Stockton Sixth Form College playing field at about 10pm on Wednesday last week.

"They were just sitting talking when they saw a policeman and, knowing they were not supposed to be there, they ran off.

"The officer started to chase them and shouted to them to lay down on their front.

"They were on the ground when the police dog came over and bit Karl's leg. It was totally unprovoked.

"The dog handler was hitting the dog with his torch to get him off."

Mr Walker has been in touch with a solicitor with a view to taking legal action against Cleveland Police.

A spokesman for the force declined to comment in view of the legal threat.