A PAIR of police dogs are set to put their paws up as they prepare to settle into their well-earned retirement.
Police dogs Gunner and Hans spent their careers as general purpose and firearms dogs at West Midlands Police – after graduating from the force’s nationally accredited puppy development programme and training centre in Balsall Common.
Over the years they have been involved in hundreds of incidents that have involved detaining suspects and protecting the public.
In his final week PD Gunner assisted officers by detaining the driver of a car on cloned plates.
The 24-year-old attempted to run off but Gunner wasn’t letting him get away that easily.
The vehicle turned out to be stolen and the driver was wanted.
Previously PD Gunner and his handler John Simpson went on to win a national award for their actions to arrest one of the force’s most wanted offenders.
There’s no escaping PD Hans either who has detained dozens of offenders over the years.
Including four people before Christmas for a series of robberies in Birmingham.
The group were charged with more than 50 offences following reports people had been threatened with violence and had their phones stolen.
The seven-year-old German Shepherd was also involved in the arrest of three people involved in a robbery and assault in Birmingham. Hans found one of the men trying to hide from officers, but it would be hard to hide from this super sniffer.
The duo received a standing ovation from the Crufts audience to thank them for their service to policing.
Although Gunner and Hans are retiring, they will both remain with their handlers and their families.
Inspector Leanne Chapman from the Dog Unit, said: “Both Gunner and Hans are a credit to the dog unit. They have both been involved in detaining dozens of offenders and assisted in some really dangerous situations.
“Our police dogs are invaluable to West Midlands Police. They protect the public and fight crime every day. Gunner and Hans are two exceptional dogs that have been with us since they were born. We will be sad not to see them every day, but hope they have a well-rested retirement.”
