Police take Hank from stray to sniffer dog

An abandoned dog has gone from stray to sniffer after joining the police.

Three-year-old spaniel Hank was found lost, distressed and emaciated in a field by a member of the public in November.

But no owners could be traced, so Derbyshire Police stepped in to adopt Hank to move him into their dog section in Ripley.

After treatment for roundworm and parasites, as well as a special diet including plenty of beef tripe, Hank has bounced back to health and by May began formal training to become a sniffer dog.

The police, who recruit most of their four-legged trainees from breeders, said it was not known how long Hank had been living as a stray.

But the kennels "saw something in him" despite the poor condition he arrived in and contacted the force.

Kennels officer Mollie Brown works closely with Hank and has said he is "much happier".

"Once Hank realised he was loved, you could really see him start to enjoy life," she said.

Hank - whose hobbies include chasing birds and splashing in paddling pools - is training to be a search dog and will learn to detect substances and items including drugs, cash, and firearms in environments like open land, vehicles and buildings.

Dog handler PC Dave Collier, who has been training Hank, says he is "independent, funny, and a quick learner".

He said: "He's a real workhorse and he absolutely loves searching.

"He's built for the job and incredibly determined.

"He doesn't take being told off very well though - he'll grumble back at you and mutter under his breath."

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