Outrage after police shoot Alzheimer's sufferer, 59, with TASER GUN because he refused to go into care Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141927/Police-shoot-Alzheimers-sufferer-59-TASER-GUN-refused-care.html#ixzz1uPErPB4s

Alzheimer's Society describe incident as 'very alarming'

Police shot an Alzheimer’s sufferer with a Taser during a struggle because he refused to go into care.

Fifty-nine-year-old farmer Pete Russell was shot with the stun gun after struggling with three officers who were trying to help section him under the Mental Health Act, according to Humberside Police.

He ripped the barbed darts out and had to be restrained further until more officers arrived at the scene in Epworth, North Lincolnshire.

Defence: A police spokesman claimed that the officers were faced with a significant level of violence
Two officers suffered minor injuries in the incident on March 6 in which police were responding to a call for help from a doctor.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141927/Police-shoot-Alzheimers-sufferer-59-TASER-GUN-refused-care.html#ixzz1uPF5Ir5F

The use of a Taser on someone with dementia is ‘very alarming’ and must have been ‘particularly distressing’, the Alzheimer’s Society said.

Sarah Moody, locality manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘The Alzheimer’s Society is very alarmed at the use of a Taser gun on a vulnerable person with early onset dementia, which must have been a particularly distressing experience for the gentleman concerned.

‘People with dementia can sometimes exhibit extreme agitation which can be difficult to understand and cope with for those who encounter it.

‘This unfortunate incident illustrates a lack of understanding in society of dementia and the best way to support and help people who are affected by this devastating condition.’

The use of a Taser on someone with dementia is ‘very alarming’ and must have been ‘particularly distressing’, the Alzheimer’s Society said.

Sarah Moody, locality manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘The Alzheimer’s Society is very alarmed at the use of a Taser gun on a vulnerable person with early onset dementia, which must have been a particularly distressing experience for the gentleman concerned.

‘People with dementia can sometimes exhibit extreme agitation which can be difficult to understand and cope with for those who encounter it.

‘This unfortunate incident illustrates a lack of understanding in society of dementia and the best way to support and help people who are affected by this devastating condition.’