IPCA confirms justified police dog use in Tauranga abduction case, where man was found hiding with a knife after returning ex-partner's child.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has confirmed police use of a police dog in Tauranga was justified. On 18 April 2023, a man abducted his ex-partner's child in breach of a protection order and fled from police. The next day, after returning the child, police found the man hiding in the bush and, due to concerns he had a knife and the rough terrain, released a police dog to apprehend him. The man sustained injuries to his face and required surgery on his ear.