Almost £600 has been raised for a memorial for Bruce, the police dog destroyed by Sussex Police after he bit off a teenager's ear.

The force came under siege from angry readers who were furious the dog was not simply retired.

Many have sent cheques and cash to us for the Bruce appeal.

One woman, from Withdean, Brighton, sent £10 and wrote: "This sadness should never have happened."

Another wrote: "In memory of a courageous animal who obeyed the command to protect us all and unjustly paid with his life."

Bruce was destroyed by police after failing a safety test. Earlier this month, he bit off a 14-year-old boy's ear during an incident in Morley Street, Brighton.

A solicitor acting for the boy said he had not been charged with any offence.

Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo, who approved the dog's destruction, stood by his decision but was forced into a public apology for describing Bruce as a piece of equipment.

The dog's handler, PC Pete Tattum, and his family have been overwhelmed by messages of sympathy and support from around the world.

Police officers from across Sussex and from as far away as Texas and Vancouver in Canada wrote to us to express their anger.

One officer from the United States said their police dogs were full members of the force and wore badges. When they died in the line of duty they were given a funeral with full honours.

A friend of PC Tattum said yesterday: "The family wants to thank everyone for their support and kind gestures.

"We must make sure this never happens again and I would urge people to write to their MPs for a change in Home Office policy.

"Dogs are not pieces of equipment and should not be destroyed."

PC Tattum wants a wooden cross to mark the spot in his garden where Bruce's ashes will lie.

Money left over will be donated to a dog charity.