Police dog escapes leash and knocks down child – prosecutor rules it an accident

A police dog that broke free from its leash and knocked over a child in southwestern Finland last autumn will not lead to criminal charges, as prosecutors have classified the incident as an accident.

The case occurred in Paimio, Varsinais-Suomi, where the dog—out on a walk with its handler’s spouse, also a police officer—suddenly ran toward a seven-year-old child holding a stick by the roadside. The leash slipped from the officer’s hand, according to Yle.

The child suffered a minor elbow injury. Though the parents filed a criminal complaint, the prosecutor determined no negligence occurred. Investigations confirmed the dog was a qualified police animal that had passed all required tests, and the handler responded immediately upon learning of the incident.

Prosecutors concluded the event was accidental, with no evidence of misconduct in the dog’s supervision or the officer’s actions.