The dog is being allowed some of it's predatory instincts to come out as part of it's attack training and I'm sure it's quite difficult to get the animal to learn to let them out only on command. Not once did he ever hurt the animal, the only reason he even lifted the dog was because it's the easiest way to get it off-balance to pin it to the ground. If he had tried pushing, or sweeping the legs it wouldn't work as well and would possibly injure the animal. This isn't your typical fluffy doggy who just eats, ***** and gets pet... it's a police dog, and it damn well needs to understand he is the boss and only attack on command.