The dog which mauled a WPC in Plymouth, Devon, was shot with a dart gun normally used on LIONS after a four hour stand-off.
The animal was considered so dangerous that around 20 personnel attended the scene, including police with riot shields and a zoological firearms expert.
A dozen officers in protective clothing were joined by two RSPCA officers, three veterinary staff and the head keeper at a local zoo.
Eventually, after a four-hour stand-off, the dog was sedated using a gas powered ”rifle-style” dart gun which is designed to tackle big cats.
Colin Northcott, firearms officer at Dartmoor Zoological Park, was called to the scene to administer the sedative.
He said: ”This dog was very nasty and not approachable without protection. The only way to get the animal under control was to sedate it using a dart gun.
”We had to use a gas powered dart gun, similar to a small rifle, which is something we use only on the most dangerous animals like lions and tigers.
”Had the dog managed to run free there would have been lives at risk. The adrenaline was certainly pumping when I took the shot.
”It was an extremely aggressive animal – a real tearaway. There were around a dozen police officers and they used riot shields to hold it back.”
The animal was darted in the shoulder and then taken to a secure location in Bristol.
The officer mauled by a dog has undergone a three hour operation and the animal could now be destroyed, police said.
A spokesman said: ”The officer has undergone a three-hour operation which is said to have gone well.
”She is expected to be discharged from hospital shortly and will to be off work for some period of time.
”The dog has been seized by police and will undergo assessment to establish whether it is a banned breed.
”Police are considering an application for a destruction order of the dog.”
