SCOTLAND Yard is getting rid of its elite anti-terror attack dogs in an attempt to cut costs.
The Belgian Malinois are trained to attack a target even if they stop fleeing.
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Used in the Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer unit, they have helped to detain a large number of suspects without the need for officers to fire weapons.
In 2018, the unit had four operational Malinois.
Training and housing the dogs can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.
They cannot live with handlers and are kennelled at their London HQ.
Officials said the “tough decision” to axe the Conflict Management Dogs would help to patch up a £260million hole in its finances.
But sources argue the dogs are a less lethal option than using firearms because since they have been used, the CTSFO unit has not had one fatal shooting.
Malinois can be trained to be parachuted from helicopters and are used by Special Forces including the SAS.
The Met said: “We’re prioritising resources and putting more officers on the beat.
“We continue to have a sizeable dog unit with multiple capabilities.”
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