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Ace's rags to riches journey
from stray to Police Dog
A German Shepherd found as a stray, aged just 15 weeks,
has passed his Police Dog training at Merseyside Police with flying colours.
15 month old Ace was discovered walking the streets in Lancashire as a puppy
last year. Had he not found a home after a week, he could have been put to
sleep. But Cefni GSD Rescue in Sheffield saved the day and took him in.
It quickly became apparent to staff that he had the drive and alertness required
for a life of public service with the Police, so when officers from Merseyside
Police's Dogs Section called 4 months ago to see if the Centre had any suitable
dogs, Ace's future was secured.
He was put on a 13 week training programme to train him to become a Police Dog
and performed so well he completed the course a week early.
Yesterday, staff from Cefni GSD Rescue made the trip from Sheffield to see him
officially welcomed to the force when he showed his physical prowess running up
ramps, leaping over fences and through windows at Merseyside Police’s Training
Centre, on Mather Avenue, Liverpool.
His handler, Constable Tony Eyres, from the Dogs and Mounted Section at
Merseyside Police, said:- "Ace has got the most drive out of all the dogs
I’ve trained. He is a natural and he loves to do it. Drive is great but you’ve
got to harness it properly, and Ace does. It’s great to know that our partners
in other agencies, such as Cefni GSD, are able to spot qualities in a dog that
may not be suited to a guide dog, but which will help to make a great Police Dog
to join us in our fight against crime. We work closely with rescue centres
around the country and are delighted that the dogs they have provided to us are
now helping to us to keep the streets of Merseyside safe.”
Constable Simon Coley, from Merseyside Police's Dog Training Unit, said:-
"Some dogs are bred to be Police Dogs and some dogs want to be, Ace wants to be.
I feel so proud to see Ace passing out today. He's clearly loving his new job as
a police dog, it's wonderful that despite having a tough start in life and being
unwanted, he is doing such a valuable job helping the community and is very much
a valued member of our team."
Marcia B Jones, from Cefni GSD Rescue in Sheffield, spoke of her pride at seeing
Ace make the grade. She added:- “It's a very proud moment. It was great to
come along today to see the ceremony. Ace was in a poor condition when we first
saw him, so it is particularly satisfying to see him in such good health and we
know he will be very well looked after. his bond with Tony is fantastic. We
hoped he would one day be appreciated for the great dog he is so it’s wonderful
to see.”
A video interview with Ace's handler, Constable Tony Eyres, from
the Dogs and Mounted Section at Merseyside Police and footage of Ace in action
can be found on
YouTube. |
