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POLICE say they were forced to shoot and kill a dog after it attacked officers during an arrest on Eaglehawk-Neilborough Road in the Whipstick Forest on Wednesday afternoon. Highway Patrol members were monitoring a Toyota Tarago allegedly being driven erratically in the area when the driver suddenly left the road and went down a track, near Old Tom Road. The vehicle was driven into a small embankment and became stuck. Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said police engaged in a scuffle with two male occupants one of whom had a warrant for his arrest and OC foam was used. A bullmastiff cross left the Tarago and attacked police during the arrest. Senior Sergeant Brooks said officers used OC foam on the dog, but it continued to attack. We did deploy OC foam originally, which does normally deter dogs from attacking but in this particular instance it kept coming, he said. At this stage we dont know if the accused set the dog deliberately on police or the dog just got violent because of all the people around it. Its suffice to say, once it starts attacking people its not going to come out of it too well. The dog was shot multiple times. A City of Greater Bendigo worker attended the scene to remove the dog, which did not have any identification. No police members were injured during the arrest. Senior Sergeant Brooks said the driver of the maroon Tarago was allegedly driving erratically throughout Bendigo on Tuesday and Wednesday, and police received numerous concerned calls from the public. It mainly stems around some driving yesterday, he said. We'll get the car taken back for further examination in relation to some things that were found in the car, we'll be talking to some witnesses in relation to some driving matters from today. The driver was allegedly intimidating other road users, Senior Sergeant Brooks said. Anyone who witnessed the vehicle being driven erratically in Bendigo on Tuesday or Wednesday are encouraged to contact Bendigo Police 5448 1300.

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