Officer’s dog-rescue heroics

A brave police officer is recovering at home after being attacked by a pitbull dog as he stopped it mauling its owner's son .

Constable Ben Klinkenberg was called to a park area in Sunnyvale, West Auckland, where a 17-year-old was being bitten and dragged around by his father’s dog, which he had been walking.

Ben ran to the young man’s aid and sprayed OC (pepper) spray in the dog’s face, forcing it to let go and allowing the victim to run to safety. The dog then turned on Ben, ripping his SRBA vest – and even bit his OC spray can.

Ben radioed for help and fought the dog for several minutes, suffering a number of bites to both forearms as he pinned it to the ground. An ambulance arrived but Ben kept the dog pinned to the ground for fear of it injuring someone else.

Other police officers arrived and helped restrain the dog, which was then seized by Animal Control.

Ben and the young man were taken to hospital. Ben needed stitches in both arms and is recovering at home. He will return to work next week on light duties. The 17 year-old has a number of bites that will require plastic surgery.

“There's no doubt Constable Klinkenberg's actions stopped other people from being seriously injured,” says Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Bill Searle.

“His bravery in managing to wrestle the dog to the ground and hold it there, even though he was injured, is highly commendable.

“I've spoken to him this morning and thanked him for a job very well done, and I'm sure the public will be thinking the same.”