A POLICE officer has been injured after being 'shot' while making an arrest in Thornton Heath.
The officer is believed to have been hit by a ricochet when police shot a pit bull-type dog at a house in Seneca Road at around 11.30pm on Thursday.
He suffered a minor injury during the incident which is being investigated by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards.
It has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Police were called to reports that a woman had been assaulted in nearby Brigstock Road at 11.10pm.
They then went to a house in Seneca Road to arrest the suspect.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Police were called to reports of a woman assaulted in the Brigstock Road area of Thornton Heath.
"Officers attended and located the woman.
"They subsequently entered an address in Seneca Road to arrest the suspect.
"On entering the address, officers were confronted by a pit bull-type dog. Officers attempted to restrain the dog and it was subsequently shot by a firearms officer.
"One male officer received a minor injury. There were no other reported injuries."
Scotland Yard confirmed the officer had not been injured by the dog.
The Advertiser understands he was hit by a ricochet after police shot the animal, which was killed.
A man was arrested at the house in connection with the allegation of assault.
A neighbour, who asked not to be named, told the Advertiser: "I was woken up by gunshots. There were about six or seven.
"I looked out the window and there was a dead dog lying in the road and firearms police going into the house. Then the ambulance and more police arrived."
London Ambulance Service (LAS) sent two ambulance crews and a single responder to the scene.
