Bravery prize for knifed police dog that nearly died in the line of duty
HIS bravery saved the life of his police handler and captured the hearts of the nation.
now Finn, an eight-year- old German shepherd, is to be presented with the PDSa Gold Medal – the animals’ George cross – for tackling a teenager wielding a combat knife.
the police dog was left with near-fatal injuries after he was stabbed repeatedly by the 16year-old thug, who also wounded his handler Pc Dave Wardell.
Finn tackled the armed robbery suspect as he tried to escape over a fence in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, in october 2016.
Pc Wardell recalled: ‘ In a split second, I saw the man lunge at Finn’s side with a weapon.
‘as he pulled away, I saw a 10in blade, covered in Finn’s blood.
‘the man then lunged at me with the blade but Finn, despite being seriously hurt, grabbed hold and stopped him from landing a fatal blow. My hand was cut in the struggle and Finn’s head was sliced open.’ Despite suffering two serious stab wounds and a punctured lung, Finn kept hold of the suspect, allowing Pc Wardell to wrestle him to the ground.
luckily, the knife had missed Finn’s heart and he made an extraordinary recovery. He was back on duty within three months, although he is now retired.
His heroism has inspired a campaign for better protection for police animals.
While the teenage attacker – who cannot be named for legal reasons – was convicted of causing actual bodily harm to Pc Wardell, for stabbing the dog he was found guilty only of criminal damage.
He was sentenced to a mere four months in custody.
a ‘Finn’s law’ petition calling for attacks on police animals to be treated the same as attacks on officers was signed by more than 130,000 people.
tomorrow, a bill that would create a specific criminal offence of attacking a service animal is due to be given a second reading in the commons, meaning it could soon be law.
Finn posed yesterday with a replica of the PDSa Gold Medal – the highest bravery award for animals. He will receive his honour at a PDSa festival at cheltenham racecourse on May 6.
Pc Wardell said he was ‘bursting with pride’ at the honour for his ‘ best friend’. ‘Finn’s determination, even after he’d been seriously hurt, was absolutely faultless,’ he said. ‘He definitely saved my life.’
Finn is the 28th recipient of the PDSa Gold Medal. all have been dogs. PDSa director general Jan Mcloughlin said: ‘Finn displayed outstanding devotion that night, both to his duties and to his handler. For his actions, Finn is an extremely worthy recipient of the PDSa Gold Medal.’
David lloyd, the Police and crime commissioner for Hertfordshire, added: ‘Finn’s horrific injuries and the bravery he showed that night lit a fire in the hearts of the british public.
‘attacking a police animal should not be treated in the same way as damaging a police car. the public clearly think the same.’
Hertfordshire chief constable charlie Hall said: ‘Finn’s story highlights the vital role that these animals play and the dangers that our officers face on a daily basis.’
‘Outstanding devotion’