Police officer undergoes surgery following dog bite, animal unable to be located

Kempsey Shire Council rangers and police will continue to periodically patrol areas of West Kempsey in an attempt to locate a dog that mauled a police officer's leg during an arrest on Sunday.

At about 2.50pm on February 28, officers from Mid North Coast Police District attended a home in West Kempsey, following reports of a domestic violence-related incident.

Police spoke to a 34-year-old woman who allegedly armed herself with a metal pole and threatened an officer, who deployed OC spray.

Police will allege the woman released a dog from the backyard; when police attempted to arrest the woman the dog bit one of the officers on the right calf and thigh.

Police have confirmed the female officer has since undergone surgery due to serious injuries sustained in the incident.

An on-call ranger was contacted by Kempsey Police following the incident on Sunday and they conducted a patrol of the location, however the dog was not able to be located.

The 34-year-old woman was taken to Kempsey Police Station and charged with two counts of intimidation (DV); armed with intent; resist arrest and dog attacks person due to in charge person reckless act.

Council are unable to provide further comment at this stage, but confirmed rangers are working with Kempsey Police to investigate the incident.

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