Pair charged after officer knocked out

Two young men have been charged over an assault in South Auckland in which a police dog handler was knocked unconscious.

A 21-year-old and a 17-year-old are accused of injuring with intent, after the incident early yesterday.

Police said as the officer spoke to the driver, two men got out of the car and assaulted him.

The attack happened on Bairds Rd in Otahuhu at 3.30am.

The officer was knocked unconscious before a passing truck driver scared off his attackers, who fled in a green Toyota Altezza.

A passing ambulance crew treated the officer and took him to Middlemore Hospital.

Both men will appear at Manukau District Court tomorrow.

The officer is now out of hospital and recovering at home.

- NZ Herald