Real life Paw Patrol: Police pup sniffs out hiding suspect just 10 days into the job
It's a proud moment for a Police officer when their work helps to crack a case - but what about our police dogs?
Well one Northumbria pup has been praised for paying a vital role in arresting a suspect after less than two weeks on the job.
PD Alfie earned a treat and a pat after helping to find a person who was wanted in connection with an assault in Penshaw.
The 15-month-old Belgian Malinois had only been qualified for 10 days when he was deployed to support response officers on Wednesday morning.
Alfie earned his stripes as a fully-fledged police dog after finding a suspect hiding in a bush.
Officers had responded to a report that a man had been causing trouble inside an address and had gone on to damage a number of parked vehicles.
Alfie and his handler PC Stephen Henry were deployed to assist the search and it didn’t take the K9 long to find who they were looking for.
PD Alfie tracked into a wooded area and his nose led him straight to a bush – where the suspect was found to be hiding.
The 20-year-old suspect tried to jump a nearby fence to escape the clutches of the police dog but was arrested by officers.
Chief Inspector Mick Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “The contribution of our Dog Section cannot be overstated and Alfie is a very welcome addition to the team.
“He and a number of his siblings only qualified 10 days ago but they are already showing their value.
“They are a fantastic team and I know that this arrest will be the first of what we hope to be a long and successful career as a K9 at Northumbria Police.”
The 20-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and has since been released under investigation.