AN independent investigation has been launched after a member of the public was bitten by a police dog.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) was contacted by Cleveland Police as a result of the incident on Monday, June 6, when a PC was exercising two police dogs in a field near to Ormesby Stables in Eston near Middlesbrough.

As a result of the incident the German Shepherd dog was put down.

The man suffered bite puncture wounds on his arm and upper body and was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he was later released.

The dog handler also received medical attention after being injured on his arm by the dog when trying to stop the attack.

IPCC Commissioner Carl Gumsley said: “Firstly, I hope that the injured man and the officer both make swift recoveries.

“The independent investigation, which is now underway, is looking at the circumstances of the incident.”

The incident is the third involving Cleveland Police dogs biting members of the public in just two years.

The IPCC is already investigating after a 10-year-old Billingham boy was injured on the shoulder after being bitten by a police dog, which was chasing a suspect who had fled down an alleyway.

And Middlesbrough pensioner Irene Collins was bitten inside her home by a police dog in July 2014, dying four days later. An IPCC report is expected to be published soon.