Police Officer fined for cruelty to his Police Dog

Civillian Working Dog Trials

Myself with Police Dog Rudi at Regional Police Dog Trials

Pc Mark Edgar, Dorset Police, was recently fined £255 at the local Magistrates Court after admitting causing uneccessary suffering to his Police Dog 'Hax' by hanging it by its lead when forcing it over a 5' obstacle in training.

Pc Edgar is no longer a handler.

Whilst I do not defend or condone this Officers actions, I have always found this exercise, used at both Police Dog Trials and Civillian Working Trials, to serve no purpose. Numerous injuries have been caused to dogs, even when trained properly. Dislocated shoulders etc. There has always been call to replace this with the 'A' frame, more commonly seen at Dog Agility Events.

For further information please see article Daily Mail 10 November 2009