Crufts 2019: Stabbed police dog Finn and handler scoop prize
- Published
Retired police dog Finn and handler PC Dave Wardell won the Friends for Life award
A police dog that nearly died protecting his handler from a knife attacker has won an award at Crufts.
German shepherd Finn was stabbed in the head and chest in the attack in Hertfordshire in October 2016.
PC Dave Wardell and Finn, who is now retired, have campaigned for "Finn's Law" for tougher sentences for service animal attackers.
On Sunday they were awarded the Kennel Club's Friends for Life award in recognition of their close bond.
PC Wardell described Finn as "my hero"
The prize "celebrates a lifetime of friendship and the heartwarming stories of how humans and dogs transform and enrich each other's lives", the canine organisation said.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The attack on Finn was, in the eyes of the law - criminal damage - which PC Wardell described as "the same as breaking a window".
A new Bill that will make such attacks a criminal offence is in its final stages in the House of Lords.
Speaking after they were honoured at Crufts, PC Wardell said: "I can't believe it. I feel so emotional. Just by being here we had won already.
"It has been a culmination of years of campaigning to get Finn's story heard."
North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald said he was "delighted for Dave and Finn".
The extent of Finn's injuries prompted campaigners to call for changes to animal attack laws
- Published8 February 2019
- Published16 January 2019
- Published6 July 2018
- Published30 September 2017
- Published7 June 2017
- Published11 May 2017
