Shropshire Star

More than 28,000 join fight for West Mercia police dog to remain with retiring handler

A petition set up in the hope of allowing a police dog to retire with his handler has gained more than 28,000 signatures in a week.

Published
Sergeant David Evans and Ivy

Sergeant David Evans, from Market Drayton, wants to be allowed to keep four-year-old Ivy, a German shepherd, when he retires from West Mercia Police in April.

He has spent 34 years in service with the force and in the past has kept dogs that have reached retirement age.

However, his family say they have been told that will not be possible as Ivy, who is aged four, needs to continue working.

Today the family have thanked everyone for their support.

Sergeant Evans' daughter Jennie said she started the online petition last Friday and has been "overwhelmed" with the response.

She said: "We can't thank you all enough for your support and kind comments, we will forever be grateful to everyone who took the time to support the petition."

Posting on the petition's website, Cecelia Owen, from Shrewsbury, said: "She may be a working dog but her home and the person she has bonded with are more important than using her for work."

Chris Mennan, a former colleague, posted: "I served with Dave Evans as a dog handler when he first started on the dog section.

"I would like to give him my support as when I retired I had two fairly young police dogs and I was allowed to keep them both. Have the rules changed?

"We were expected to be compassionate about our working dogs. Where is the compassion that should be shown to Dave and his family?

"Good luck Dave, hope they do the right thing.

"Dogs are not equipment that is just issued to whoever needs them; you don't need to be a genius to work this out."

Elizabeth Wilbraham, from Prees, added: "Both handler and dog have been loyal servants of the police so they should be allowed to remain together, especially if the cost of her training is repaid.

"There is no certainty that Ivy would work as well for another handler due to her great bond with Sergeant Evans."

West Mercia Police chief constable Anthony Bangham has said he was willing to meet Sergeant Evans personally in a bid to find a way forward.

A meeting is currently in the process of being arranged.

Training of police dogs starts at about 12 months old.

Dogs are normally kept working by forces up to the age of around eight, although they are assessed annually to ensure they remain suitable for work.

Click here to view the petition

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.