Police dogs injured in disorder given rewards

PD Bones and handler PC Leah Smith were pelted with missiles during disorder in Staffordshire

A charity raised more than £9,000 to give welfare packs to service dogs who were injured during the national wave of disorder that took place in August.

Two of the dogs to benefit are Staffordshire Police dogs PD Vixen and PD Bones, who were on the frontline in Stoke-on-Trent and Tamworth.

PD Vixen was hit on the head with a brick in Tamworth, while PD Bones and her handler were pelted with missiles in Stoke-on-Trent.

The packs, which include toys, treats and canine first aid kits, were donated by the Thin Blue Paw, a charity for police dogs.

PD Vixen and PD Bones have now fully recovered and are back at work helping to detain suspects.

Staffordshire Police said PD Vixen recovered from her injuries at home and was eager to get back out with her handler, PC Sam Jones, as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the force said: "She’s been busy sniffing out suspects ever since.

"She was sent in when two men tried to run from a car in Stafford on 31 August following reports of an attempted burglary.

"She found one of them hiding in a tree and other one behind a bin and made her arrests."

PD Vixen was given new treats and toys

PD Bones was put on garden rest after the disorder but soon made a full recovery and was back at work with handler PC Leah Smith.

"Just like her colleague PD Vixen, she’s been busy protecting the public and going after those involved in crime ever since she came back on duty," a force spokesperson said.

PD Bones appeared to enjoy the new toy she got in her welfare pack

Thin Blue Paw trustee Kieran Stanbridge delivered five welfare packs to Staffordshire Police's dog unit on Monday.

He said: “Our police dogs run into dangerous situations every day and, sadly, sometimes that means they’re injured in the line of duty.

"We’re incredibly grateful to the nation’s police dogs – like PD Bones and PD Vixen – and to say thank you we launched a fundraiser to pay for welfare packs to send to dogs across the country.

"The packs included toys and treats for the dogs to enjoy in their downtime, as well as canine first aid kits which their handlers can carry in order to treat any injuries they might sustain while on duty."