A TEENAGER who kicked a police dog in the face in a "nasty" attack has been punished by the courts.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after officers were called to a burglary at a shop on Market Street, Halifax, in the early hours of July 11 last year.

An officer from West Yorkshire Police's dog section attended in order to find the boy, who had fled the scene but was believed to be nearby.

After being located, the boy then attacked Police Dog Zero as officers tried to arrest him.

Zero suffered injuries to her face as a result of the attack and needed treatment.  

Appearing before Bradford Youth Court last month, the boy was convicted of a number of offences, including burglary and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

He was given a 12-month detention order and four-month youth referral order.

Commenting on the case, Chief Inspector James Farrar, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "This was a nasty attack on one of our beloved police dogs which resulted in her needing treatment for injuries to her face.

"We take the welfare of our working animals very seriously and, as with our officers, none of them deserve to be assaulted in the line of duty. I'm pleased that the court has taken a dim view of this attack.

"Zero is now back to full strength and is due to take part in the Regional Police Dog trials later this year," he added.