Top barks for Cheshire's police dogs (From Warrington Guardian)

Top barks for Cheshire's police dogs

WARRINGTON'S police dogs have won top marks after passing a random health check.

From April to October, 10 of Cheshire's 31 police dogs were checked by vets and 20 dogs were visited by lay inspectors.

The glowing report has just been released.

Derek Bateman, chairman of Cheshire police authority, said: "Dogs and their handlers play an important role in operational policing and we take their health and welfare very seriously.

"I'm pleased that this report shows our dogs to be in good health and that their training is both ethical and of a high standard."

Dog handler PC Garry Brownlow, who works with Poppy, a bomb search dog, and Zak, a tracker dog, said the dogs enjoy their work and are part of his family.

He said: "Zak is almost 10 so will be retiring soon but will still live with me. He would hate to go anywhere else. He's one of the best dogs in Cheshire and enjoys his work. I only have to open the van door and he's ready to go."

Since 2002, four members of the police authority have been making unannounced checks on police dog training and vets have been making regular inspections.

Dog handlers have also been dropped in on, to ensure dogs are well housed.