Stevenage police dog stabbing sparks calls for law change

A Hertfordshire police dog that got injured chasing a suspect last month could be back to work by the end of the year.

German Shepherd Finn was stabbed in the head and chest while responding to reports of a robbery in Stevenage on October 4.

The seven-year-old canine was rushed to the vets, where he underwent a life-saving operation. Despite the severity of his wounds, Finn refused to let go of the suspect. A teenager was been charged with criminal damage.

His handler PC Dave Wardell also received a stab wound to the hand.

A proposed law for police animals to be given the same status as officers was debated in parliament earlier this week.

• Parliament to debate 'unnecessary' police dog petition

MPs have been debating whether to change the law to increase the punishment for those who attack police dogs or horses.

Calls for the so-called 'Finn's law' come after a Hertfordshire police dog was stabbed and badly injured last month in Stevenage while chasing a suspect alongside his handler PC Dave Wardell.

Today's debate was led by Northamptonshire MP David Mackintosh.

• Police dog law change 'unnecessary', government claims

A petition calling for greater rights for police animals injured in the line of duty will be debated in Parliament later this afternoon.

It comes after German shepherd Finn was stabbed in the head and chest while chasing a suspect in Stevenage.

A teenage boy was charged with criminal damage over the attack.

The proposed Finn's Law is calling for police animals to be given the same status as officers.

Despite the debate, the Home Office released a statement this weekend saying that there is no need for the law to be changed because people who attack animals can already be jailed for 10 years.

• MPs to debate 'Finn's Law' after police dog stabbing

The Stevenage MP says he will push for a change in the law that would see police animals treated the same as officers if they're injured while on duty.

It's after a police dog called Finn was stabbed while chasing a suspect earlier this month.

Local MP Stephen McPartland wants to lead a debate on the subject in Parliament after a recent petition gained more than 100,000 signatures.

"I'll be looking to raise a debate in Parliament where I'll raise these issues and I'll be asking the Prime Minister to consider reviewing the law," McPartland told the official Finn's Law campaign Twitter page.

"I'm considered to be a relatively good campaigner who's great at getting things changed and I'm sure that they'll see sense."

• Finn's law petition reaches 100,000 signature milestone

A petition calling for police animals to be given the same status as officers if they're hurt while on duty has reached the number of signatures needed for it to be considered for a debate in Parliament.

David Burstow set up the petition on the government's petition website earlier this month after a Hertfordshire Police dog called Finn was stabbed while chasing a suspect in Stevenage.

Finn suffered serious knife wounds to his head and chest but survived thanks to complex surgery.

The 'Finn's Law' petition has since gained more than 100,000 signatures, meaning MPs may now look into whether the issue can be discussed in the House of Commons.

• Police dog stabbed in Stevenage 'getting back to old self'

A police dog that was stabbed during an arrest operation in Stevenage last week is starting to 'get back to his old self'.

PD Finn and his handler PC Dave Wardell were injured while chasing a suspect.

The incident has sparked calls for police animals to be given the same status as officers if they're hurt while on duty.

Following a successful operation, Finn has been inundated with 'get well soon' cards and is starting to "get a little cheeky".

• Stevenage police dog stabbing sparks calls for law change

A petition calling for police dogs and horses to be treated the same as officers if they're injured while on duty has gained nearly 30,000 signatures.

David Burstow set up the petition on the government's petition website after a Hertfordshire Police dog called Finn was stabbed while chasing a suspect in Stevenage last week.

Finn suffered serious knife wounds to his head and chest but survived thanks to complex surgery.

A teenage boy was subsequently charged with criminal damage, but the 'Finn's Law' campaign is aiming to class such attacks as assault or even attempted murder.

The petition would need to make 100,000 signatures for it to be considered for a debate in parliament.

• Police dog Finn and his handler on the mend

"It's great to see him alive!" - the verdict of police dog handler PC Dave Wardell on being reunited with his partner Finn after both were stabbed.

"We have been out on the street for just over six years," said PC Wardell, of Hertfordshire Police.

"I was not sure we were going to see him like this."

PC Wardell and Finn were injured during an arrest operation in Stevenage. PC Wardell was treated for an injury to his hand while Finn suffered serious knife wounds to his head and chest.

"We have been very, very lucky and he is doing really, really well," said veterinary surgeon Rob Adams.

"Surgery has gone very well and he is recovering fantastically so far. We are not out of the woods yet but so far, so good."