Petition calls for equal status for police animals and officers
MPs are set to debate a petition calling for police dogs and horses to be given the same status as human police officers when they are injured in the line of duty. The petition has been signed more than 120,000 times.
Last month, police dog Finn and his handler PC Dave Wardell suffered stab wounds in Stevenage while they chased a suspect in the early hours on 5 October. PC Wardell received an injury to the hand, while Finn suffered multiple knife injuries to his head and chest, involving several vital organs.
After undergoing major emergency surgery, Finn was transferred to intensive care for recovery. He is currently recovering at home and said to be doing well.
A 16-year-old male was charged with ABH assault on PC Wardell and criminal damage relating to Finn, among other charges.
'Finn's Law' campaigners want to see similar charges for those who attack police dogs and human police officers.
The petition, which was set up on the government's petition site, calls for police animals to 'be given protection that reflects their status if assaulted in the line of duty'. As it has now been signed by more than 100,000 people, it will be debated in parliament on 14 November.
Mark Tasker from the campaign told BBC News: "We are absolutely elated, we always knew this was something that would capture the public's imagination and it seems that parliament recognises just how offensive it is to classify the killing or serious attack on a police dog or horse as criminal damage."
Image courtesy of Hertfordshire Constabulary
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