39 dogs, three forces, one commitment to their welfare

Four-legged colleagues celebrated as volunteers help keep police dogs safe. 

This International Dog Day, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) is celebrating the police dogs serving across the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) tri-force, along with the dedicated people who help care for them. 

Police dogs play a vital role in keeping communities safe, working alongside their handlers to track offenders, find vulnerable missing people, search for evidence, drugs, and support a wide range of policing operations. 

But behind every hardworking police dog is a team of people committed to their welfare. 

Managed by the OPCC, the BCH Independent Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme provides independent oversight of the welfare of serving police dogs. Established in 2012, the scheme ensures police dogs receive regular welfare visits, with any concerns raised followed up by the scheme administrator and dog unit. 

Earlier this year, the scheme received a Certificate of Compliance from Dogs Trust in recognition of the high standards of welfare oversight provided for serving police dogs across the three forces. The charity commended the scheme's transparent processes, robust reporting, and effective arrangements for safeguarding the welfare of working dogs. 

“Our Animal Welfare Scheme is one of the many ways we provide accountability and transparency to the public,” explains the Commissioner. 

“Our police dogs make an invaluable contribution to policing across BCH. I would like to thank their handlers and the volunteers who give their time to independently monitor their welfare. Their work helps provide reassurance that our police dogs receive the care, support and protection they deserve.” 

The volunteers receive training to help them effectively assess the welfare of police dogs and the facilities in which they are cared for. Their independent observations provide an additional layer of transparency and public reassurance around the treatment of serving police dogs. 

Inspector for the Dog Unit, Stuart Carr added "Our Independent Dog Welfare Visitors play an important role in providing oversight of the care and wellbeing of police dogs across BCH. These highly trained dogs support policing 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping to keep our communities safe. 

Police dog handlers hold a unique specialist role within the policing family, caring for their canine partners both on and off duty. They are committed, dedicated and professional, with a deep respect and affection for the dogs they work alongside. 

I would like to thank both our handlers and the volunteers who support this scheme. Together, they help ensure our police dogs receive the highest standards of care and provide reassurance that their welfare remains a priority". 

For more information about the BCH Independent Dog Welfare Visiting Scheme, visit our website: Animal Welfare Visiting Scheme