A law to protect service animals in honour of police dog Finn, who was brutally stabbed in Stevenage, was passed through its third reading at the House of Commons on Friday.

The bill, which has been campaigned for by North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, will now be put forward to the House of Lords.

Sir Oliver said: “I am delighted that Finn’s Law passed through the House of Commons on Friday with Finn and dog handle PC Dave Wardell watching in the gallery.

“This unanimous all party backing for the Animal Welfare (service animals) Bill augurs well for its next stages in the House of Lords, where Hertfordshire’s Lord Trenchard will be the member in charge.

“We are on the way to proper legal protection for police dogs and other service animals.”

Finn and his handler PC Wardell were attacked in October 2016. Their attacker – a 16-year-old boy from Lewisham – was charged with criminal damage for the attack on Finn which almost killed him.