Force mourns police dog who helped PC with cancer

PD Jura was paired with PC Darren Sewell in 2020

A police dog who shared a "remarkable bond" with his handler, who was having cancer treatment during their training, has died after falling ill while off duty.

PD Jura died aged five after having emergency surgery for a suspected case of gastric torsion on Friday, Leicestershire Police said.

The force said the dog had fallen ill on Wednesday afternoon and was immediately taken to the vet by handler PC Darren Sewell.

On social media, the force's dogs section said Jura's loss had come as "a profound shock" and colleagues had lost "a treasured member of our team".

In a statement, the force said: "Initially there was hope that PD Jura would recover but sadly he passed away on Friday.

"PD Jura was a much-loved member of our policing family and an exceptional police dog."

Jura has been described as "a true hero" by police

Jura was just a few weeks old when he started his initial training in 2020 with PC Sewell in 2020, who had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Their work together saw PC Sewell given a Special Recognition Award by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity which supports serving and retired police dogs.

Jura became a fully-fledged member of the force's dog section in 2021 and along with PC Sewell, "had outstanding operational success".

The statement added: "We want to thank PD Jura for his service to the force and the communities we serve. He will be deeply missed by so many."

A spokesperson for the Thin Blue Paw Foundation said Jura had a "remarkable bond" with PC Sewell, and the training sessions "provided a welcomed escape for Darren while undergoing chemotherapy treatment".

PC Sewell was by Jura's side when he died, the charity added.