A Canberra man whose dog viciously attacked a police officer, causing horrific injuries, yelled and swore at police packing the court's public gallery as he was sentenced to more than four years in jail.

Key points: The officer who was attacked by Matthew Millard's dog suffered serious injuries and PTSD as a result

The officer who was attacked by Matthew Millard's dog suffered serious injuries and PTSD as a result Justice John Burns called Millard a "thoroughly dishonest person"

Justice John Burns called Millard a "thoroughly dishonest person" He was sentenced to a total of four years and nine months in jail

Matthew Millard, 36, referred to the officers as "f***ing dogs" as he was led from the ACT Supreme Court today.

Millard was being sentenced for seriously injuring the female police officer and stealing a mobility scooter.

The attack happened when the officer went to Millard's house to retrieve the scooter.

The court previously heard that Millard's pit bull terrier got out of the house, and only stopped attacking the woman when a neighbour pulled it off.

In an earlier hearing the officer told the court she feared she would die as the dog tore at her leg to pull her down, and then how her hand had been skinned as she tried to pull it from the dog's mouth.

The injuries to her calf left her bone exposed.

'You are a thoroughly dishonest person'

The incident was captured in an audio recording by a fellow police officer in which the officer can be heard screaming.

Police also asserted Millard could be heard urging the dog on saying "go, go, go."

Millard denied that, saying he was actually trying to stop the dog and was saying "no, no, no."

But today Justice John Burns said he was satisfied the dog had been released deliberately and encouraged in the attack.

"I have listened very carefully to the recording," he said.

"It is more probable than not that you said 'go'."

Justice Burns said this was supported by other evidence, including a recorded conversation about the events that Millard had with his girlfriend after he was in jail.

Justice Burns also noted that when the dog was being pepper sprayed and a shot was fired, Millard was not worried about the officer who had been attacked.

"You called on police not to hurt the dog," he told Millard.

The court heard Millard had a motive to scare off the police, to buy time to remove the stolen mobility scooter from his house.

"Your motive for taking the scooter was greed," Justice Burns said.

"You intended to sell it and keep the money."

Justice Burns dismissed a letter of apology to the court saying Millard had tried to minimise his responsibility, and had shown no remorse.

"Your criminal history suggests you are a thoroughly dishonest person," he said.

Millard has been sentenced to a total of four years and nine months in jail, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.