In Pictures: National police dog trials
- Published
The 53rd National police dog trials at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, saw 21 of the UK's best police dogs compete. "We have the trials to improve standards using people’s natural competitiveness. Dogs that are good at trials are successful operationally", Sgt Ian Roderick at the dog unit of South Wales Police.
"Sometimes a dog's enthusiasm on the field can look a little messy. It can be difficult to decide whether to deduct points when the dog is enjoying his/herself so much. Some dogs are neater but are more focused on the task"', said Sgt Roderick.
Dealing with gunmen, tracking a scent and crowd control were some of the elements that the dogs were marked on. The public could watch some of the tests although handlers say some dogs can be distracted by a crowd of onlookers, making their performance unpredictable.
Last year's winner Pc Kevin Hughes with three-and-a-half-year-old Zeena was competing on home turf in front of family and friends. Pc Hughes was the first Welsh handler to win the trials in 2012. He was competing to maintain his title but narrowly lost by two marks.
Zeena dropped a few marks in the agility tests, when her tail slightly brushed the gate. Pc Hughes said: "Of course I would have liked to retain our title, however I could ask no more of my police dog Zeena and I am proud to have achieved second place."
Cops and robbers. In the chase-and-detain exercise officers pretend to be criminals. The dog must chase the suspect at speed then grip the arm until told to release. Once the handler gives the command, the dog releases the criminal. Photo: Mike Hellings.
Chase and stand-off. The dog will chase the suspect until given a command to 'stand-off'. The dog will bark and remain squarely in front of the suspect, without biting the arm.
"It takes a certain amount of skill to not get hurt," said Pc Paul Hilder, from South Yorkshire Police, one of the officers who role-plays as a criminal for the chasing exercises. He must run, shout and fire at the dog. Officers take turns to play the part. The specially-made thick coat protects them from injury.
Green room. Just before the dogs compete they wait in the back of the police van. Dogs from forces all over the UK, from Glasgow to Cornwall, travelled to the finals of the competition. Pictured is dog Diesel of South Yorkshire Police, with handler Pc John Shaw.
Unpredictable. Dog Diesel refused to jump the five foot fence on the day, which hampered his chances in the competition.
The winning pair. PC Nick Dalrymple with dog Aden who won the competition two points in front of last year's winners, PC Hughes and Zeena. Photos: Joanna Humphreys
“Animals attract interaction, and that’s what we want to do: to interact with the public”, said Sgt Ian Roderick. "The trials allow us to showcase what we do, in an incredible venue."
- Published9 November 2012