PNG: Dog attack victim speaks out

A Papua New Guinea man shown in a leaked video being attacked by police dogs in Port Moresby has come forward, demanding justice for the trauma he says he has suffered.

A graphic video posted online last month showed 25-year old Paul Willie being set upon by three police dogs outside Port Moresby.

The film shows him being bitten repeatedly before fleeing into the bush.

Willie says the police were drunk and accused him of being a drug dealer and car thief – which he denies.

“I thought if I keep sitting here, the dogs will bite me and I’ll die a painful death, so I made a run for it,” he said.

“I thought if the police shoot me at least I’ll die quickly.”

Willie says he was initially scared of retribution but has decided to lodge a complaint with police.

PNG Police Commissioner Tom Kalunga has condemned the actions of the police officers, and says they are investigating the incident.

Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Dominic Kakas says human rights abuses within the force will not be tolerated.

“The constabulary, under the management of Commissioner Kalunga, has got a zero tolerance to police brutality,” he said.

This isn’t the first time allegations of police brutality have emerged.

Last year an inquiry was launched after a group of police officers used machetes to slash the ankles of more than 70 men involved in a tribal fight in Port Moresby.