Police dog fired in Florida after biting two people

Houston: A Florida police dog has been fired after he bit a police officer and a doughnut shop worker.

Renzo, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, had been with the police department for about 18 months. In November, he bit a Coconut Creek police officer while tracking a suspect, wounding the officer's leg.

In a more severe attack last week, Renzo burst from a squad car and tore into a doughnut shop employee's calf. The worker has hired a lawyer, US media reports said.

Following the two attacks, Coconut Creek police chief said he has decided to "retire" Renzo.

"I have made the decision to retire K9 Renzo," Michael J Mann said.

According to Margate police, Renzo and his handler, Officer Carl DiBlasi, went to the doughnut shop to meet a Coconut Creek Police officer Sergeant Brandi Delvecchio. The sergeant began to pet Renzo, who was in DiBlasi's patrol car, and the dog lunged at her.

DiBlasi screamed Renzo's name and three times hollered "fuey!" an obedience command for "incorrect behaviour." The dog started to charge another officer, then changed course and dashed toward doughnut shop employee Robert Doherty, 37, who was reaching into his car for his apron, Margate police said.

Doherty heard DiBlasi screaming at Renzo and jumped into his car. But he could not get his leg in fast enough and was bitten. He suffered four bites, to his right calf and shin.

In the November 26 incident, Renzo bit Coconut Creek police officer Michael Giuttari, 26, who with DiBlasi was tracking a home invasion suspect.

DiBlasi tripped and lost control of Renzo, who spun around and bit Giuttari, inflicting "multiple puncture wounds," Coconut Creek police reported.

The dog will now live with DiBlasi, his handler.