A PEACEFUL vigil will take place in Worcester after two pet dogs were shot dead by police in London.

Animal rights activists and people will gather in memory of Millions and Marshall at Elgar Statue.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating what led to the deaths of the dogs and the tasering of a man by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)in Poplar, east London.

MPS officers had been called to reports of a woman being attacked by a dog on Commercial Road on Sunday, May 7.

A man was arrested at the scene and an officer discharged a Taser. Two dogs were shot dead by police at the scene.

The MPS referred two complaints it had received from witnesses to the incident to the IOPC which determined they required independent investigation on Thursday, May 11.

The vigil in Worcester will take place on Sunday, June 4 at 1pm and is one of a number taking place across the UK.

Organiser Hannah King said: "It will be a peaceful event for everyone to come together for the dogs.

"When I watched the video posted online I didn't sleep all night.

"It was barbaric. 

"I hope the event will resonate with other people.

"It makes me feel sad and angry. 

"It upset me the first time I saw the video.

"Everyone is doing nationwide events.

"The closest one for us was Birmingham, so I wanted to do one for people in Worcester."

Talking about the investigation, IOPC regional director Amanda Rowe said: “We understand the public concern regarding this incident and it is appropriate that it should be independently investigated.

"We will examine whether the actions of the officers involved were reasonable and proportionate in all of the circumstances and in line with relevant policy and procedure.”

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police defended its officers after being called about a dog attack.

The statement said: “Officers attended the location where the aggressive behaviour of two dogs was of considerable concern and posed a significant threat to them.

“A man was arrested in connection with the incident for having a dog dangerously out of control and assault offences.

“A Taser was discharged by police.

“No person was taken to hospital.

“Both dogs were destroyed by police at the scene.

“This is never an easy decision for any officer to take, but police have a duty to act where necessary before any further injury is caused."