Cop to be prosecuted for having his dog bite a pro-Palestine protestor at Radboud Univ.

A police officer will be prosecuted for setting his dog on a protester during a pro-Palestine demonstration at Radboud University in Nijmegen last year, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) reported. The use of the dog was unjustified because the “protester was already on the ground and did not commit any violent acts against the police,” the OM said.

The dog bit the protester in the leg and held on for “tens of seconds,” causing severe injuries.

The incident occurred during a protest against Radboud University’s continued ties with Israeli institutions on May 7, 2025. One protester, a 24-year-old man, allegedly assaulted two security guards, and the police were called in to arrest him.

The man was walking toward the Erasmuslaan-Heyendaalsweg roundabout with five others when the police approached to arrest him. According to the OM, several demonstrators attempted to interfere with the arrest, and a large group of protesters rushed toward the roundabout.

“First, the dog handler - like other police officers - used his baton against the demonstrators. Then, he used the police dog against the victim,” the OM said. The dog bit the protester in the leg and held him down. According to the OM, the officer involved was unable to instruct the dog to release the victim because he “was obstructed by the protesters.” The victim sustained serious injuries.

“Based on the investigation, the OM concludes that the police were permitted to use force, including the service dog, in this threatening and chaotic situation,” the OM said. “However, this individual did not pose such a threat that the use of the dog against him was justified.”

“The OM believes this constitutes a violation of official instructions, for which the dog handler must answer to the court.”

The person bitten by the dog will not be prosecuted. “The OM believes that this protester was wrongly identified as a suspect of public violence or resisting arrest and has therefore dismissed the criminal case.”

The 24-year-old man arrested on that day will be prosecuted for assaulting two security guards, including allegedly biting one of them in the hand.