HILLSBOROUGH police chief David Duckenfield called for police dogs rather than ambulances as 96 fans were crushed to death in the football tragedy, the inquest heard yesterday.

The retired officer was being cross-examined for a third day by lawyers for the relatives of those who died.

Earlier this week Mr Duckenfield admitted having lied in the immediate aftermath of the disaster but denied there was any conspiracy to blame fans and cover up police failings on the day.

Yesterday Mr Duckenfield said he at first thought the problem on the terrace was crowd disorder and only realised it was a medical emergency at 3.04pm.

But transcripts of recordings made in the police control box at the time showed a subordinate officer calling for police dogs.

Rajiv Menon QC, representing families of the victims, said: “You must have asked him to do this. It’s a medical emergency. Can you explain that? Why on Earth do you need dogs at the stadium?”

Mr Duckenfield said he had “no idea” other than he wanted to create a “secure area” for the rescue operation.