BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israel will stop using attack dogs against Palestinian protesters in the West Bank, the Israeli news site Ynet reported Friday.

The Israeli army has suspended the use of its Canine Unit after forces released a dog at a demonstration in Kafr Qaddum near Nablus in March which locked its jaws on a protester Ahmad Shtawi for several minutes.

Shtawi and Morad Shtawi, who came to his aid, were both arrested by Israeli forces after the incident, which was caught on tape by Ma'an affiliate Nablus TV.

Following Israel's inquiry, the soldier who released the dog was not suspended, Ynet reported.



An Israeli army official told Ynet: "This incident was not so good for us because the combatant had a hard time 'unlocking' the dog's grip, for 7-10 minutes. Had he been wearing a muzzle, the Palestinian likely would have not been hurt."