Posthumous award for police dog
A POLICE dog responsible for sniffing out more than £5 million in cash, firearms and drugs has been posthumously presented with an order of merit award.
Jake, a springer spaniel, was due to receive the PDSA award for his service to Warwickshire Police over a ten-year career but died, aged 13, shortly before the presentation.
The dog’s career began at 18 months old when he was partnered with Pc Andy Crouch and he worked at events including royal visits, the Olympic Games, the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival and Glastonbury Festival.
Before his retirement last August, Jake made more than 500 operational finds including assault rifles, shotguns and handguns, as well as more than £650,000-worth of banknotes and more than £4.5 million in illegal drugs.
Pc Crouch said: “Jake worked tirelessly and performed thousands of searches. Even after his retirement, he loved playing and we would often set up ‘finds’ for him to seek out, to keep him stimulated.
“He was a joy to work with and I doubt that many handlers will find a dog so willing to work and to please. My family and I are devastated to lose Jake, especially so close to this award being presented.”