Sussex Police are sticking to their policy of destroying police dogs if they are deemed dangerous.

The force came in for global condemnation when it put down police dog Bruce but a force spokeswoman said last night: "There's no change in policy."

Bruce's death, a year ago tomorrow, was ordered after he bit the ear of a teenager involved in a street brawl.

There were protests from animal lovers and police forces round the world and hundreds of letters and emails from people who wanted to see Bruce retired from the force and rehomed.

His handler, PC Pete Tattum, offered to keep Bruce but the force rejected all demands and the dog was destroyed by lethal injection.

One protester is marking the anniversary with a notice in The Argus, including the dog's photograph.

The woman, from Brighton, said: "Bruce was only doing what he had been trained to do and to kill a healthy and beautiful animal for being dedicated and faithful is criminal. They must change their policy."

However a spokeswoman for Sussex Police last night said: "If the same circumstances arose we would act in the same way.

"If a dog is deemed dangerous and is not safe to be rehomed then there would be no alternative."

PC Tattum, who bade a tearful farewell to Bruce just hours before his dog was destroyed, is now training another German Shepherd, Miguel, but he is still not completely over the trauma.

Readers of The Argus raised £600 for a memorial at the spot where the dog's ashes are buried in PC Tattum's garden.

PC Tattum's wife Kay said they will be thinking of Bruce tomorrow.

She said: "He's right outside my kitchen window so I see him every day.

"It has taken all year to get my family back in one piece.

"Pete was so upset and was off work for a while.

"I still miss Bruce terribly - every time a pass a dog in the street I think of him. I can't forget him."

Protesters may have failed to change police policy but they did win an apology from Sussex Police.

Last year, Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Yeo came under fire for describing Bruce as just another piece of police "equipment."

He later apologised for his "insensitive and clumsy" comments.

Mr Yeo also apologised for causing distress and he assured people "the decision to put Bruce to sleep was made only after much consideration."

Regrettably, he said, Bruce failed a safety test and destroying him was the only safe option.

Earlier this year, protesters welcomed a decision to set up a panel to keep an eye on the force's canine friends.

The Police Dog Welfare and Lay Visitors' Panel aims to ensure the care of police dogs is given a high priority and their handling is ethical.

The force had already made arrangements with the RSPCA to monitor the training of dogs.

One Brighton protester said: "It is welcomed - but it won't bring Bruce back or save dogs like him in the future who are killed merely for doing their job."