Police dog retires after three years of service

PD Gru's first successful job was tracking down a driver who had left his car and was hiding under a bed in a property

A police dog who could go into "police mode" in the "blink of an eye" has retired after three years of service.

PD Gru joined Northamptonshire Police in 2020 and assisted in finding vulnerable people and suspects.

The four-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd received treatment after he tore his hamstring in 2023 and developed a condition called Gracilis Contracture.

His handler, PC Bradley Bowman said: "PD Gru was a well-loved and valued member of the Dog Section and Team A Dogs & Firearms Central Operations Team."

PD Gru's first successful job was tracking down a driver who had fled from their vehicle in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, and was hiding in a property under a bed.

He also helped to clear a hostile crowd who were throwing missiles in the direction of police officers.

PD Gru received a Chief Constable's Commendation for his role in finding evidence relating to a murder in 2023.

PD Gru received eight months of hydrotherapy and a stem cell transplant after developing a condition called Gracilis Contracture

Despite being close to making a full recovery, PD Gru has been retired because of the intensity and nature of operational police work.

He will now see out his retirement living with PC Bowman.

"He was an extremely capable dog, who had a commanding presence, but who could also switch to being a more social dog when not in work mode.

"He was known as the friendliest angry dog, as he would go from having cuddles and fuss from the officers, to being in his angry police mode, in the blink of an eye," he said.