Hunt for four-legged crimefighters

Jan 3 2006 By Emma Cullwick, Birmingham Mail

POLICE in Worcestershire are on the hunt for crimefighters of the four-legged variety - inquisitive dogs with a good nose for sniffing out drugs, explosives or stolen cash.

West Mercia Police has launched an appeal for people to donate dogs to be trained for a career in the force.

Insp Tony Fisher, head of the dog section based at Hindlip in Worcester, said: "We need dogs which are playful, inquisitive and in good health.

"Dogs which require plenty of stimulation are particularly suited to police work, and a dog with character will also fit in well.

"Ideally they need to have a sense of fun, love to bark, and be forward and assertive.

"Often the dogs which make the best police dogs have more energy than most owners can cope with, and may be destructive because they are not getting enough stimulation. A career as a police dog brings many rewards, including a stimulating work environment.

"Work is fun for the dog as it gets to use all of its senses and natural instincts for searching, tracking and barking in a positive way.

"They get far more exercise and stimulation than the average pet, which is very fulfilling.

"To police dogs, work is play. It's a good life for a dog."

The force is ideally seeking German Shepherds aged eight or nine months, although any large dog aged up to 18 months old would be considered.

West Mercia currently has 55 dogs of varying breeds, who live at the homes of their police handlers, and have been trained to sniff out criminals and stolen property, deal with violent or armed offenders and keep guard at football matches and incidents of disorder.

Anyone interested in donating a dog should call 01905 332321 or e-mail anthony.fisher@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.