Police dogs
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/24/6958
Version Date: 24/09/2024
The Operations and Finance Departments have provided the following information.
How many serving police dogs do you currently have?
55
How many police dog handlers do you currently have?
36
How many police dog trainers do you currently have?
8
Please confirm the gender split of female and male police dog handlers?
6 female, 30 male
Please confirm number of police dogs in your force which have died or been euthanised while still enrolled as a police dog (please include cause of death for each dog) from January 2020 until present.
2 died of medial issues, One Heart related the other was an infection which began as an ear infection, dog died in their sleep.
None euthanised
How many police dogs have retired from the force since January 2020 until present day? Please include reason for retirement.
Data is only held from May 2022.
12 dogs have retired since May 2022.
|
Reason |
Count |
|
Retired when the handler retired |
2 |
|
Vet recommendation for medical reasons. |
2 |
|
Lost focus and was assessed as no longer suitable as a Police Dog |
1 |
|
Retired due to working age and to ensure a healthy retirement |
7 |
|
Total |
12 |
How many police dogs have been euthanised as they’re deemed unsuitable for retirement since January 2020 until present day?
None
How many police dogs have failed their initial training course, and subsequently been re-homed or euthanised since January 2020 until present day?
None euthanised. No accurate records are kept in relation to dogs that fail the initial course.
What is the yearly expenditure for all police dogs?
The expenditure for the last financial year 23-24 for Devon & Cornwall was £197,509
The figure is for the costs coded to our Account code for Police dog expenditure rather than including other costs such as officer salaries and overheads related to the section itself.
The expenditure therefore includes kennelling, vets’ fees, food, equipment such as leads, toys, beds etc.
Do your police dog handlers undertake canine first aid training? If so, how often are they provided a refresher course?
Yes - All handlers receive canine first aid training.
Refresher is every 2 years
Are your police dogs supplied with personal protective equipment? If so, please state the equipment provided, brand of the equipment and confirm if it’s personal issue to each serving police dog?
Protective paw boots – different brands depending on fit.
Boots are Individual issue to the dog
Are your police dogs provided with a direct financial assistance in their retirement from your police force or police crime commissioner?
Yes
How many suspects have been arrested by your force under ‘Finn’s Law’ aka The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) for causing unnecessary suffering to a service animal since 8th June 2019 until present day?
None
How many suspects have been charged by your force under ‘Finn’s Law’ aka The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) for causing unnecessary suffering to a service animal since 8th June 2019 until present day?
None
How many suspects have been convicted by your force under ‘Finn’s Law’ aka The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) for causing unnecessary suffering to a service animal since 8th June 2019 until present day?
None