TAILS were wagging as West Midlands Police Dogs showcased their skills at Crufts.
The dogs, along with their handlers and trainers, gave audiences at the NEC a taste into what life is like on the front line and the training they do to get there.
As well as the dramatic demonstration some of the forces dogs were on petting duty across the four days some getting well-earned fuss from event-goers.
The demonstration routine included cute and cuddly pups recently born into the force’s acclaimed breed scheme to the lively older puppies progressing through the in-house training programme and fully operational dogs that appear anything but cute and cuddly to criminals.
Inspector Leanne Chapman from the Dog Unit, said: “We’re always honoured to take part in Crufts and it also gives us a great opportunity for all of us, including our dogs to meet members of the public.
“Police dogs are an important part of West Midlands Police; they can assist officers in a variety of ways from drug, explosives and sim-card searches and detaining criminals, to tracing missing people.
“We have a great team of dogs handlers and volunteers and we love showcasing their skills and amazing work.
“Protecting the public is at the heart of everything we do and we couldn’t do it without our amazing dogs.”
West Midlands Police has the largest and most successful breed scheme in the UK after launching in 1994.
Around 85 per cent of dogs who go through the training scheme become operational.
