Current timestamp: 02/04/2023 12:54:15
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

Thanks for trying the 'beta' version of our new website. It's a work in progress, we'll be adding new services over the next few weeks, so please take a look and tell us what you think.

Get started

staffordshire-police-logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP)
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Staffordshire Police Dogs ‘collared’ at ceremony

Main article content

Navigation

News

17:08 24/10/2019

Staffordshire Police’s dogs have been recognised as colleagues and not property at a special event today.

Eighteen dogs were each presented with a specially engraved collar by the High Sheriff of Staffordshire, Ashley Brough and Chief Constable, Gareth Morgan at the force’s headquarters in Stafford this morning. The collars carry the police dog’s name and number in recognition of their new status in law as protected animals since the introduction of Finn’s Law earlier this year. The collar numbers are unique and will retire with the dog.

The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill 2019, known as Finn’s Law, provides increased protection for service animals by making it a criminal offence to cause them unnecessary suffering. The law received Royal Assent in April 2019, and became enforceable on Saturday, June 8.

The first prosecution under the new law came as a result of an attack on PD Audi, a Staffordshire Police general purpose dog. PD Audi was stabbed in the head on 1 July as he was defending his handler during an incident on Town Road in Hanley. PD Audi’s attacker, Daniel O’Sullivan, who also assaulted five police officers, was sentenced to three months in prison for injuring him as part of a 21- months sentence for the incident as a whole. Fortunately, PD Audi made a full recovery and is back at work.

Previously, the only available charges for someone who injured or killed a police service animal in the line of duty, was one of criminal damage. With this new legislation, defendants will no longer be able to claim self-defence as a reason for injury.

Staffordshire Police’s Chief Constable, Gareth Morgan said: “Since the introduction of Finn’s law, police dogs are now recognised as public servants and not just police property. Like their handlers, they face danger on a daily basis as they fight crime. I’m pleased that we are now better able to protect them.

“Before the introduction of this legislation, a defendant who had injured or killed a police dog could only be charged with criminal damage to police property. In Staffordshire we have already seen, with the case of PD Audi, the first prosecution under the new law. Our police dogs are not just property, they are important members of the force who provide a valuable service. Their welfare is of paramount importance to us. Injuring or killing a service animal is now recognised as an offence in its own right, and I welcome that.”

“The new collars are a way of demonstrating publicly how much the force values our dogs. They may not be able to wear a police officer’s uniform but the collars identify them as working for Staffordshire Police. The work they do keeps people safe and I’m pleased to be able to acknowledge their new status.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Staffordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.