The Animal Welfare Scheme was introduced to protect police dogs in Wiltshire

A new scheme to ensure the welfare and proper treatment of police dogs is being launched for the first time in Wiltshire.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is introducing the Animal Welfare Scheme.

It was originally established following the National Police Chiefs Council review carried out following the death of Acer, a police dog, in 1997.

Supported by the Dogs Trust, the program sees volunteers making regular visits to check on the welfare of dogs in vehicles, kennels and dog unit or training areas.

It aims to provide a safe, clean and engaging environment for dogs and provides regular checking to ensure standards meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

After being successfully trialled by Lancashire Police, the scheme is now being rolled out in Wiltshire, with volunteers being appointed and trained over the past three months.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “The welfare and treatment of police dogs is crucial as they provide invaluable operational support to officers and should therefore be treated with the utmost care and respect.

“A top priority in my policing and crime plan is to make sure the force has the right tools, resources and equipment to do the job.

“Part of this is ensuring that all the necessary frameworks around animal welfare are in place to support the force and enable them to run the dog unit to the highest standard.”

Chief Constable Catherine Roper added: “I welcome the Dogs Trust’s visit to our dog section today, alongside the wider launch of the Animal Welfare Scheme.

“This scheme is imperative to ensure our police dogs are cared for and trained to the highest standards – something we take incredibly seriously.

“Our police dogs have put their trust in us to look after them and in turn they do incredibly important work such as finding missing or wanted people and detecting items such as drugs, cash or firearms .

“They are the unsung heroes of our force and play a huge part in Keeping Wiltshire Safe.”

Louise Crawford, Animal Welfare Program Co-ordinator, said: “I am delighted that the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office has adopted the Animal Welfare Scheme for their dog unit.

“This ensures there is an open and transparent process to monitor the welfare needs of these extraordinary working dogs.”