Elite counter-terror dog unit scrapped to cut costs
The Belgian malinois dogs, which were introduced in 2016, have been a key part of the Met's Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO) unit.
The highly trained and fearless animals have been deployed on dozens of armed operations and have been credited with helping to detain a large number of dangerous criminals and terrorist suspects without the need for officers to discharge their weapons.
Unlike general duty police dogs, the euphemistically titled, Conflict Management Dogs (CMD), are trained to bite and incapacitate a target even if they stop fleeing.
The breed can be trained to ignore loud bangs such as gunfire and explosions and are used by Special Forces units around the world, including the SAS and US Navy Seals.
They have even been trained to be parachuted out of helicopters and onto battlefields.
The Met initially bought and trained two dogs but doubled the unit in 2018 amid rising concern about the possibility that Britain could become the target of a terror attack.
They were attached to the Met's elite CTSFO team, which as well as responding to terror attacks are also deployed on intelligence-led operations such as armed robberies.
Reduced fatal shootings
Since the dogs became operational, CTSFO officers have not been involved in a single fatal shooting.
The breed are noted for their agility, extremely high intelligence and loyalty to their owners.
But after undergoing intense training with the Met, the animals are unable to be housed with their handlers and have to live in special kennels at a secret police HQ in London.
The cost of training and caring for the dogs is estimated to run into the hundreds of thousands of pounds each year and with the Met having to plug a £260 million black hole in its finances, senior figures have made the difficult decision to get rid of them.
One source familiar with the unit said the animals were worth their weight in gold because of their ability to quickly neutralise hostile targets and diffuse dangerous situations.
The source said: 'The CMD dogs have been an invaluable tool in the armoury of the CTSFO. They are incredibly effective and since their introduction there has not been a single shooting of a suspect.
'To see them in action is really something. You can have the most determined and ruthless armed criminal at large but when they come nose to nose with one of these dogs it is remarkable how quickly they shrink and comply.
'They are mega beasts. Their bite is definitely worse than their bark and their intelligence and agility is off the charts.'
Another police insider added: 'These dogs are a less lethal option than using firearms and their use is supported by the Department for Professional Standards and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
'There are plenty of other far more expensive counter terror tactics that have been developed only by the Met that have never been deployed but these dogs are used daily and have undoubtedly prevented countless lethal confrontations. Even the use of Taser has been dramatically reduced.
'It is a real shame that the Met has decided to pull the plug because I fear in the long run we will be left counting the cost.'
The decision to get rid of the dogs comes amid a funding crisis at Scotland Yard, which is trying to plug a £260 million shortfall in its budget.
As well as reducing officer numbers, the force has had to make difficult choices in other areas including cutting schools officers and axing its Royal Parks team.
Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, has established a panel of senior officers, known as 'The Engine Room', who are tasked with making the tough budget choices over what areas to axe.
A Met spokesman said: 'We're prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat in the busiest parts of London to focus on core policing priorities, protect the public, and tackle areas with high crime.
'Due to our financial constraints, we're making tough choices and we've made the decision to withdraw the use of Conflict Management Dogs, which are not used in other forces across the country.
'The Met continues to have a sizeable dog unit with multiple capabilities.'
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