Dog attacks police officers in east London. Warning: contains disturbing images guardian.co.uk

Five police officers have been hospitalisedon Thursday after being mauled by a dog when they raided a house in east London. Police marksmen later shot dead the animal.

One officer needs skin grafts to his body and three others are understood to be in a serious condition after the "pitbull-type" animal went berserk as its owner was arrested. All five constables were taken to hospital with leg and hand wounds as chaos ensued during a morning swoop in Albert Square, Newham.

A dog unit and firearms unit were called to deal with the animal while bloodied officers arrested the suspect, in his 20s, for grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.

Oliur Rahman, 28, who was staying at his girlfriend's house on Albert Square, said officers fired at least two shots before the animal was killed. "I was asleep, and I woke up because there was shit loads of screaming. I put my head out of the window. I saw police officers smacking something that was on the floor."

Rahman, who said that the attack took place at about 10.15am, said officers used a battering ram and batons to beat the dog down. "The dog actually managed to get hold of the police officer and the officer was screaming in agony … The dog was on his hand, biting down."

Rahman, who filmed the attack on his phone, added: "The dog grabbed him so hard that the officer had no luck really." He said he could see officers jumping on cars and over gates to get away. "They didn't know what to do," he said.

"The officers then came with guns and that's when they shot the dog. There were seven or eight of them; they were trying to hold the dog down. Even then they couldn't hold it down." He said the dog died after "two or three shots".

Four of the officers were said to be in a serious but stable condition and are being assessed for whether they have suffered lasting tendon and muscle damage. The remaining officer suffered minor injuries.

Dog-bite incidents in the UK have risen 79% in London and 43% nationally in recent years, according to figures obtained by the Kennel Club.

The incident has already led to nearby residents raising concerns over dangerous dogs, and is likely to reignite debate on the issue. The dog is thought to have been responsible for another attack on a passer-by last year. It is thought that officers were sent to investigate reports that the same dog had bitten a man in April last year but no arrests were made.

Commander Stephen Watson, commander for north-east London, said: "This allegation was not picked up in the intelligence assessment prior to today's operation, and this now forms part of my review of today's events."

Newham council said it launched an investigation last year after a complaint that a dog had bitten a cyclist in the square in April 2011. Animal welfare officers visited the property on 6 May, but there was no response and no further action was taken after discussions with police.

One neighbour, David Clarke, said he had previously reported the dog to the council for attacking another dog. The 72-year-old said: "That was a dangerous dog. I informed the council about it, which is why the fencing was put up. It has already attacked another dog. The owner never had it on a muzzle or a lead, but he did after the previous attack. He didn't take it out a lot.

"I think people shouldn't have those dogs. They should be completely banned."

Police said the raid was part of Operation Big Wing, a major Scotland Yard purge on suspects across the capital. The 48-hour operation saw hundreds of officers carry out searches for people wanted by police or who had failed to appear at court.

Commander Stephen Watson said the officers came under "sustained attack".

"All five were hospitalised. Of the five, two might be described as walking wounded whereas three sustained serious injuries which will necessitate further medical intervention," he said.

"I think what our officers have confronted is the bravery that they very often display in protecting Londoners on a daily basis.

"One man is in custody, inquiries continue, but the person was arrested in line with the original purposes of the inquiries and subsequently with offences concerning the Dangerous Dogs Act."