Man charged over savage dog attack

A musician has been charged under the Dangerous Dogs Act after five officers were mauled during a raid on his house.

Symieon Robinson Pierre, 25, will appear in court today accused of "allowing the dog to be dangerously out of control" outside his home in Albert Square, east London.

Three officers remain in hospital after being savaged by the "pit bull-type" animal. One may need skin grafts after Thursday's attack . Pierre faces four charges at Thames Magistrates' Court, including possession of a pit bull dog, contrary to section one of the Act.

The second allegation states he allowed his dog to be dangerously out of control in injuring five people. He also appears in custody accused of kidnapping and GBH with intent.

All five officers needed treatment for leg and hand wounds after the assault. The three who were kept in hospital overnight were in a stable condition. Scotland Yard admitted it failed to pick up on intelligence that the animal lived at the property before they stormed the address. The dog was shot dead at the scene by a marksman from the Metropolitan Police's CO19 firearms unit. The morning swoop was part of Operation Big Wing, a major Scotland Yard purge on wanted suspects across the capital.

The 48-hour operation saw hundreds of officers carrying out searches for people wanted by police or who had failed to appear at court. Dog bite incidents in the UK have risen 79 per cent in London and 43 per cent nationally in recent years, according to figures obtained by the Kennel Club.