Thanks for your comments. I know of one southern constabulary with its head in the sand, that really does need a DLO even if it is to just save time, money and the risk of facing corporate responsibility for the individual force!

On the plus side, there are more and more DLO’s appearing in police forces

I wasn’t really knocking the police for sorting out evil people but the guy wearing a bite sleeve whilst driving has to be a tad mad! Surely assessment of the situation, then deployment of the appropriate PPE is the way forward?

The sensationalistic style of the programme is probably more suited to car chases and the like, as it moves from interesting drugs and explosive work with the specialist dogs to the seizing of type dogs.

I support the police in the protection of the public from both people and dogs and understand the need for the enforcement of dog legislation but the police need to be supported by local government and central government.

The two latter groups need to raise awareness of responsible dog ownership and look at the introduction of dog registration to raise income for the setting up of appropriately funded dog warden services that will promote responsible dog ownership and carry out the administration of running dog registration in each council area.

A programme about the ins and outs of a dog registration scheme would probably be really boring in comparison to this programme?

I’m not defending the Police, and I’m certainly not a fluffy bunny hugger either. I too have been on raids as you state you have been. Yes there will be a number of police officers there to deal with the other offences and invariably it will be the police dog unit suggesting that they go in quietly so as to minimise the stress to the dog, and ultimately reducing the risk to other officers. Where they will negotiate with the suspect to allow access. There are occasions when this approach is not appropriate and then the full ‘riot’ mode approach is taken, and I’m sure if you cast your mind back to the raids/seizures you’ve been involved in if you take snap shots of the situation as it unfolded you could sensationalise the whole process. Afterall how ofter have you known a raid/seizure to fit into a nice 30 minute/hour slot? it takes an awful lot of planning, briefing and execution of a warrant before the ‘raid’ occurs & certainly its very rarely an all guns blazing route…

I hear your comment about some forces not having a DLO – I find it absolutely shocking that these forces do not have this as an emerging issue – its been on the cards for a very long time – ACPO have even ponied up with some training funds.

And yet there are a few in a Constabulary in the South of England who appear to have adopted the ostrich approach and are ignoring the issue in the hope that the problem will go away – sadly it won’t, and moreso when programmes like this sensationalise the issue and give the irresponsible owners/criminals/drug dealers ideas that they can use their dogs to get them a few valuable minutes to dispose of evidence or use it as a weapon in an attempt to avoid being arrested.

I just hope these Constabularies that have decided to adopt the ostrich approach with their heads in the sand get their exposed bottoms bitten & not some innocent person caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then lets see how quickly the Constabularies react then, no doubt with a knee jerk reaction of putting someone in post who doesn’t have a clue about the breeds or the legislation, or even worse passing the issue on to the local authority to deal with under their powers & duties. These Constabularies don’t appear to see the logic in being proactive and appointing a DLO in advance of an incident. They may be able to remove the risk of the incident arising in the first place! or are they happy to be found negligent in their duties & then face the peanlties from the courts or the criticism in a coroners court when someone dies as a result of their inaction?

Said by PC Emma Robling

“These dogs aint nice”

“I have no problem in putting these dogs 2 sleep”

She is s dog handler 4 god sake dont she know its not the dogs fault
Deed Not Breed