Police dog tracks down suspect in Ottery
shs police dog - Credit: Archant
Police dogs are on the prowl across the country and recently made light work of tracking a suspected drink-driver who fled across fields in Ottery.
The canine team would not normally respond to reports of a car crash, but when a witness said someone was leaving the scene, they were dispatched.
Handler PC Lee Crampton reached the incident, near the Daisymount roundabout, and his four-legged friend PD Sharpe located the suspect within half an hour.
Team leader Sergeant Allan Knight said: “With the right conditions and help from members of the public the canine team can be very effective.”
The force has five dog handlers, who take their companions on as puppies from a specialist known as a canine development officer.
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PD Sharpe has 18 months until he is due to retire, at which point he will stay with PC Crampton.
“They become part of the family,” said Sgt Knight.
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He explained that German shepherds are the best general purpose dog, as they can be used for tracking, searching for missing people or suspects, and crowd control.
Devon and Cornwall Police are renowned across the country for the quality of their canine team, and they are celebrating their first litter.
German shepherd Ruby gave birth on June 3 – and the puppies can be seen on a live webcam on the police website at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/SupportFiles/liveStream/index.html.
