Dame Judi Dench meets the latest recruits to the Metropolitan Police Service – a litter of German Shepherd Puppies.
At just eight weeks old Trainee Police Dog (TPD) ‘Otto’, along with his sisters ‘Ava’, ‘Stevie’ and ‘Tilly’, begin their rigorous 18-month training to become fully fledged, licensed Police Dogs.
As Patron for the London Retired Police Dogs Trust (LRPD), Dame Judi Dench was given an important role and said: “It was such a pleasure to meet the next generation of these heroic dogs and I was honoured to be able to name “our” puppy Otto because he is so friendly and lovable …. if Otto ever gets tired of Police work he can come and live with us…. As with any veteran after a life of service on the front line, especially as we approach Christmas, it’s important we all recognise what they’ve given and think about how we can look after them in their retirement”
Police Dogs have been protecting the lives of the public and their fellow officers in London for over 130 years, since their introduction in 1889 in an attempt to apprehend the serial killer ‘Jack the Ripper’. Since then, canine crime-fighters have played a vital role in locating criminals, finding evidence and ultimately protecting and serving their local communities.
There are currently over 330 dogs within the Service and over 12 months*, along with their handlers, London’s Police Dogs have:
· made 1941 arrests (516 for violent offences);
· found and recovered 147 firearms, 106 offensive weapons, 479 nasty knives
· made 1518 drug finds
· supported 233 warrant executions
Because of his breed, Otto will hopefully become what’s called a General Purpose (GP) dog. GP dogs can help locate missing persons, suspects and discarded property at the scene of a crime. They are also used at scenes of public disorder and can support officers when detaining a violent suspect.
Some receive further training to become ‘Firearm support’ dogs – working alongside firearms teams searching for and detaining armed criminals. Others will be trained in ‘Urban Search and Rescue’ allowing them to work alongside the London Fire Brigade at scenes of building collapse or disaster areas searching for live casualties amongst debris.
On average, Police Dogs are in service for 7-9 years and during their working lives, their bodies are pushed beyond the limits of normal ‘pet’ dogs of the same breed. Whilst serving, all Police Dogs’ veterinary and food costs are covered in full by the Police Service, however, upon retirement this level of support ceases. Some retired Police Dogs are rehomed to adopting families; most continue to live with their handlers. Due to the nature of their courageous work, former Police Dogs are extremely difficult to insure – meaning that care and treatment costs can escalate.
LRPD was established and launched as a registered charity in 2019 recognising the need to provide support to the capital’s retired Police Dogs with all their veterinary and welfare needs. They’re solely dependent on charitable donations.
It is a way of saying thank you for their unconditional service to the communities they serve.
On being Patron to the charity, Dame Judi Dench says:
“I fully appreciate the work our Police Dogs do in keeping us safe. As a dog lover myself, I think it is so important that their courage and bravery is rewarded, and they can enjoy a happy and contented retirement. And that is why I fully support the London Retired Police Dogs Trust in the good work they are doing to make this happen.”
