Met officers kill danger pitbulls with Tasers

Met marksmen have used Taser stun guns to kill pit bull-type dogs which were out of control, the force revealed today.

Two dogs have been shot dead with Tasers. One was threatening a child in Hammersmith and in the other incident a dangerous dog was killed in Haringey.

The incidents emerged as the Met revealed plans to increase the number of the 50,000-volt weapons available to its officers.

Up to 70 Tasers costing £132,000 will be given to members of the force's Territorial Support Group, a riot squad often called to deal with drink-related trouble.

Figures released today show the Met have so far used Tasers on 45 men and one woman this year. The incidents faced by officers ranged from threatening behaviour to holding weapons including guns, kitchen knives and samurai swords.

The youngest person targeted was 16 while the oldest was 43. Most people were in their twenties.