A suspect was tasered and two dogs shot in front of screaming witnesses by Met police officers in East London.

Police were called shortly after 5pm after a woman was reportedly attacked by a dog in Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets, on Sunday (May 7).

The aggressive behaviour of the dogs were found to be of “considerable concern” and posed a “significant threat” to the officers who attended the scene, a Met police statement said.

Footage on social media showed police chasing a man holding the dogs on a short lead along a canal in Limehouse.

He was then tasered and the dogs were shot after the situation became more heated.

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Police said that the officers “have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury in caused” and that “this is never an easy decision”.

A spokesperson said: “A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences. He has been taken into police custody.

“A Taser was discharged by police.”

The circumstances of the incident will be reviewed by Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards, the spokesperson added.