Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime, Matthew Ellis has welcomed a new initiative set up by his office to protect the welfare of police dogs in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Mr Ellis is passionate about protecting animals used in policing and supported the implementation of the Service Animals’ Bill, also known as Finn’s Law, in 2019. Finn’s Law, which is named after a police dog who was stabbed on duty in Hertfordshire in 2016, aims to ensure those who harm service animals are punished accordingly.
The Dog Welfare Scheme in Staffordshire has been introduced and designed to ensure that appropriate standards of animal health and welfare are maintained.
There are currently four members of the local community who, with the assistance of the appropriate national animal welfare organisations, will carry out unannounced visits to police animal training centres to observe, comment and report on the welfare of animals, with a view to securing greater understanding and confidence in these matters.
Independent checks of police training methods and the conditions under which the dogs are transported and housed will also be conducted in order to demonstrate that such methods are humane, ethical and open to public accountability.
Volunteers have undertaken training delivered by The Dog’s Trust, Staffordshire Police Dog’s Unit and a Vet representative. Each volunteer will undertake 2 police dog welfare checks per month.
Commenting on the introduction of the Dog Welfare scheme, Matthew Ellis said: ‘Police dogs are not only incredible and beautiful animals but are also there to protect and serve the public.
‘Police dogs aren’t just another piece of police kit, they feel pain, they have emotions and above all they display incredible loyalty in the line of duty. It is absolutely right there are checks in place to ensure the appropriate care standards and welfare of the dogs is maintained and they are being treated with the respect they deserve.’
Pak Alker, a Volunteer Dog Welfare Visitor said: ‘I think this is a great opportunity to raise the profile and perception of working dogs in the police force. Their welfare is incredibly important and we need to make sure they are being looked after and trained in the right manner.
‘Having recently conducted a visit it is clear to see the handlers adore the dogs and treat them with the respect they deserve.’
