Abandoned dog begins new life with police force

Cleo was found wandering outside a supermarket in Slough

A stray dog found wandering outside a supermarket in Slough is enjoying a new life as a police dog.

The two-year-old Belgian Malinois was in a poor state and underweight when she was found in Uxbridge Road in October last year.

But when a council kennel provider realised she had an aptitude for learning, she was offered to the military, prison service and police as a service dog.

Last month the dog, renamed Cleo, successfully completed her training and is now a full-time police dog in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Slough Borough Council said investigations revealed Cleo had several owners in her short life before being tied to a road sign and abandoned.

After several hours tied up in the rain, she managed to free herself before being spotted by a member of the public.

Public health and public protection councillor Ishrat Shah said: “This is a wonderful story which shows how a bad start doesn't have to mean a bad ending.

"Things could have been different for Cleo, as her rehoming prospects looked bleak.

"Having someone take a chance on her and take the time to train her is fantastic.

"Cleo obviously put in the hard work too and is now making her mark in her new job."

Mr Shah also praised the efforts of the council's enforcement team who deal with unclaimed, stray or abandoned dogs to either find them forever homes or to find a way for them to become working animals.