The wife of PC Pete Tattum today said she was ashamed of Sussex Police for killing her husband's police dog Bruce.

Kay Tattum said: "Pete has been with the force for 25 years and I have always stuck up for them. Now, I'm so ashamed of them."

Bruce was put down with a lethal injection at a Sussex kennels this week despite appeals from the public and MPs.

He was destroyed on the orders of Sussex Police after he bit off part of a 14-year-old boy's ear when officers were tackling a street brawl involving youngsters with knives and bottles.

The Tattums and their 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter have been overwhelmed by the public reaction to Bruce's death.

Flowers, cards and bottles of wine have arrived at their home in Seaford.

Mrs Tattum, 42, said: "Bruce was loved by everybody. Our children had their friends come round and they would all play with him.

"Bruce would know when it was time for the children to arrive home from school.

"He'd wag his tail and get excited. He'd toss his ball around, ready to play.

"We had to kiss him goodnight between his ears every night or he'd whimper.

"He was a member of our family and we miss him. My son is at that age when it's not cool to cry but he has been sobbing. My husband has been crying so much. It's unbelievable."

The Tattum's daughter celebrated her birthday on Saturday, the day the force broke the news Bruce would have to die.

Mrs Tattum said: "We didn't tell her until the next day so as not to spoil her birthday. She has been crying on and off ever since."

One 11-year-old girl sent the family a computer card with the words: "You gave your dog a safe, comfortable home. You were gentle, loving companions. And because of that you made Bruce's life heaven on earth. It is okay to miss him. We are thinking of you."

Mrs Tattum said: "People have been knocking on our door to say how sorry they are. I've been stopped in the street by strangers and every time someone says something I start to cry.

"I want to thank The Argus, my neighbours and friends and everyone who tried to save Bruce. I want everyone to know we will never forget him."

Neighbour Sylvia Hedges, who organised a campaign pleading with Sussex Police to reprieve Bruce, urged people to write to the force.

She said: "We must make sure Bruce did not die in vain.

"Police dogs who are prepared to defend us and even die for us must be protected in the future.

"I just hope the public doesn't start criticising or insulting police men and women in the streets for what has happened or to see our children turned away from police. This has nothing to do with the vast majority of officers."