A football fan has complained about his rough treatment after being bitten by a police dog at Reading train station.
Tommy Meyers, 20, had been to the Madejski Stadium to see his team Crystal Palace take on the Royals on September 11. Police attended the station after the match because of reports of disorder.
It was there Mr Meyers said a police dog sank his teeth into his neck as he was lying on the ground following an alleged row with an officer from Thames Valley Police and British Transport Police.
The medical student from Bromley who is studying at Leeds University has been arrested for assaulting the two police officers and is currently on bail, but he said he was handcuffed and on the ground when the dog attacked, causing cuts across his neck where its teeth sank in.
Mr Meyers was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment and then given antibiotics which he claims the police refused to let him take while he was in custody.
He said the wound later became infected, almost killing him.
His case has been taken up by the Football Supporters Federation (FSF) which is appealing for witnesses to the incident in the station at around 7.30pm on the Saturday.
David Rose, FSF spokesman, said: “Mr Meyers contacted us after going to the match with his father.
“We have been looking into the case and are in talks to try and obtain the CCTV from the train station to see if there is any more evidence.
“He has no criminal convictions and he is not a football hooligan.
“The police are supposed to have the dogs muzzled and are supposed to be near enough to restrain them so I am not sure how this happened.”
BTP spokeswoman Emma Wiggins said: “Officers from BTP and TVP were called to reports of disorder at Reading railway station following the match between Reading and Crystal Palace.
“I can confirm that a 20-year-old man from the Bromley area was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two constables, one from BTP and one from TVP.
“The man, who sustained a bite from a police dog during the disturbance, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment.
“He has been bailed to return until 6 October pending further enquiries. Anyone who wishes to provide any further information about this incident should call BTP on 0800 40 50 40.”
