New pension plan for police dogs

Police dogs are to be given their own pension plans to help with vets' bills after they retire.

Nottinghamshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping has drawn up the scheme after officers and volunteers suggested a review to the force's animal welfare policies.

It will be the first official police dog pension plan in Britain when it goes live in December, reports the Nottingham Post.

Every retiring dog will be entitled up to £500 a year for three years towards veterinary bills for problems sustained while out on the beat.

"These dogs give willing and sterling service over the years in protecting the public so I am delighted to approve a scheme that will ensure continuing medical help once their work is done," said Tipping.

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/police_dogs_given_pension_plans

300 want police dog that won't bite

A force which rejected a trainee police dog that did not like to bite has received more than 300 offers from people wanting to give her a new home.

Vegas the 19-month-old German shepherd was taught to jump through windows, ignore gun shots and bark at command - but when Northumbria Police trainers tried to get her to bite, she was reluctant to show her teeth.

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Dog Death Cop Flees Post In 'Suicide Bid'

An officer responsible for allowing two police dogs to die in a sweltering car fled his post and suffered a hand injury in what is claimed to be a suicide bid. It emerged that the officer disappeared less than 90 minutes after the dogs were found collapsed in his unventilated car at a training facility at Keston in Kent. "On Sunday 26 June at approximately 12.25 police were alerted to a police officer suddenly leaving his duty posting, causing concern for the officer's safety and welfare," a Scotland Yard spokesman told Sky News.

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Tiny chihuahua set to join Japan police

A chihuahua named Momo (Peach) has passed the exam to become a dog in the police force in western Japan, in what seems to be a first.


The 3kg (6.6lb) dog is set to become part of a search-and-rescue team used for disasters such as earthquakes.

Its small size means it will be able to squeeze into places too narrow for dogs such as German Shepherds.

Chihuahuas, named after a Mexican state, are one of the the smallest breeds of dog.

"It's quite rare for us to have a chihuahua work as a police dog," said a police spokeswoman in Nara, western Japan.

"We would like it to work hard by taking advantage of its small size."

Momo, aged seven, will begin work in January.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11804083