North Yorkshire Police has started issuing dogs with collar numbers.
Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said the move was in recognition of dogs being colleagues rather than just assets.
The animals will also have their names added to a new Police Dog Roll of Honour at the force’s headquarters at Northallerton when they retire or are killed in the line of duty. Their police handlers will be presented with a ceremonial dog collar.
In another move, North Yorkshire Police has created a memorial garden for police dogs at Northallerton. PD Dixon, who died in March last year has been given the first collar number PD0001.
PC Josh Hunsely with Rhun
ACC Foskett said:
“Our police dogs are not simply force assets, they are our colleagues. They work alongside us every day and along with their handlers, are responsible for catching some of the most prolific and dangerous criminals operating in our communities.
“I was delighted to be able to recognise their importance to us as a force and the wider public.”
North Yorkshire Police also announced today it has introduced a new animal welfare scheme that will see unannounced checks on its kennels.
North Yorkshire Police dog handler Sergeant Gareth Gummerson said:
“Animal welfare is paramount, not only to me as an individual, but also as a police dog handler and I share this passion with my colleagues on the force’s dog section.”
PC Tony Barnes with Molly, who is trained to find drugs, cash and weapons.
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University first year students return home to study in Harrogate
Two students from Harrogate have left their hall of residence in Sheffield and returned home to protect their mental health from the impact of isolation.
Alex Hamshaw and his girlfriend, both 18, are first year students at Sheffield Hallam University.
Alex’s girlfriend had to isolate for two weeks at the start of term when a flatmate not following covid guidelines came into contact with someone that had tested positive.
Both have struggled with the impact that following covid guidelines has had on their ability to make new friends, and decided to leave after three weeks, before Sheffield moved into tier three restrictions.
Speaking about why they left Sheffield, Alex said:
“We decided to come home after my girlfriend finished isolating, as if that had happened again for her or for me, it would have really negatively impacted our mental wellbeing. Coming home means that we were in a different tier to Sheffield, we could go out and see friends and see each other, and that was better for our general wellbeing than being in Sheffield.”
They’re not planning to move back to university until case numbers decrease, with the expectation that this won’t happen until after Christmas.
Despite moving home, they are still paying rent for their Sheffield accommodation and Alex estimates that he will have lost about £1500 by the time that he returns.
Read More:
- North Yorkshire could be placed in tier two this week
- Police drugs bust near Harrogate’s Valley Gardens
While at home, the pair have decided to set up their own online business, Personal Paws Co, selling customisable dog collars and leads out of Paracord, a lightweight nylon rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes.
Alex’s dog Molly, modelling a collar.
With hopes to sell 500 collars or leads by Christmas, the teenagers are also hoping to do some good with their profits. Up until the 25th December, Personal Paws Co will donate 5% of its revenue to the Harrogate District foodbank.
Alex said:
“As we approach winter and it gets colder, it is even more challenging for children at this time of year, and so we have decided to donate 5% of all sales to Harrogate foodbank so that more children can enjoy a free meal as days get shorter and nights get longer. In our opinion, it’s the little things that help.
“We choose to start the business because we both have an interest in dogs and we wanted to create a product which was durable, comfortable and customisable in size and length which all dogs and dog owners could use. The profits not given to the food bank are going to be saved as a way to financially support us after graduating from uni.”
Do you have a similar story to tell us or are worried for your son and daughter isolated at University? Get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk