Police dog Finn is set to leap back into front line action less than three months after he suffered life threatening injuries after being stabbed while chasing a suspect in Stevenage.
Barking and looking alert, Finn attended a press briefing with his handler PC Dave Wardell at Herts police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City this morning to announce his return to work tomorrow.
Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Brandon Lewis MP, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd and Hertfordshire Chief Constable Charlie Hall were there to welcome him.
Mr Lewis who recently considered a petition to change the status of police dogs in a House of Commons debate, said it was “great to see Finn back in action”.
Mr Lloyd said: “It’s surprising that he’s still with us but it shows what a fighting spirit he has.”
The seven-year-old German Shepherd suffered serious head and chest wounds in the stabbing and for a while it was touch and go.
But after months of rehabilitation he has now passed all the necessary exams to return to work.
PC Wardell posted on Facebook after Finn passed all the tests on Friday: “Today has been an awesome day. I’m so very proud of this boy. It’s been ten weeks and one day since he sustained injuries, whilst saving my life, that very nearly ended his.
“Ten emotional weeks for me and my family where my outlook on the world and the people in it has changed and evolved.
“Finn wasn’t allowed to do a single thing for six weeks whilst his body mended and adapted to what happened to him. It wasn’t clear whether he would ever be physically or mentally able to do the job he loved so much again.
“But thanks to veterinary surgeon Rob Adams and his colleagues amazing life saving surgery and my family Gemma Wardell turning their lives upside down for me and Finn, Finn today passed all his exams.
“That means that he is now a fully qualified police dog again. Well done boy!
“I literally punched the air and let out a whoop when I received this message.
“Go get ‘em Finn lad, you absolute star!”
Finn will work his first shifts since October tomorrow and Wednesday.
It is expected he will form,ally retire from front line policing in 2017.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here