Putting down a police dog may not be the most important decision taken this year by the force in Sussex.

But Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo can be assured he will have few bigger protests than the public reaction over the death of Bruce, the five-year-old German Shepherd.

Police put Bruce down after he bit off part of the ear of a teenager in Brighton following a late night fracas. The ear was later reattached.

They ignored protests from members of the public and MPs, saying Bruce was not a pet but a piece of equipment.

Police may have a point in not allowing a dog like Bruce to continue in the force because he was trained not to attack.

But his own handler was prepared to leave the dog unit and keep Bruce as a pet because he was so fond of the animal.

To a nation of animal lovers, no dog is a piece of equipment and there is no doubt Bruce could have been found a loving home to live out the rest of his days.

The action Sussex Police took looked callous to many law-abiding citizens including some of their own officers. Unlike Bruce, they may live to regret it.