The joint Police Dog Welfare Scheme in Cheshire and North Wales was set up to check on the welfare of police dogs. Police Dog Welfare Visitors check on the welfare of all police dogs, particularly in relation to the RSPCA’s ‘Five Freedoms’ attending kennels and training facilities.

More than 21 years ago, the death of police dog ‘Acer’ whilst training in Essex, as well as the subsequent prosecution of police officers involved, resulted in an understandable loss of public confidence in relation to police dog training methods.

The Police Dog Welfare Scheme aims to maintain standards and ensure that Cheshire Constabulary’s training procedures are ethical, humane, transparent and accountable. Police Dog Welfare Visitors observe, comment and report on the conditions in which the Constabulary’s dogs are housed, trained and transported.

We currently have a number of experienced and dedicated volunteers who work hard to ensure standards are high and that members of the public are well-serviced.  Both the OPCC and David Keane PCC, are very grateful for their continued hard work and service.

David said “Police dogs remain a hugely valuable part of our police family within Cheshire and support frontline officers in a variety of scenarios. The welfare of our police dogs is of paramount importance and Police Dog Welfare Visitors will act as ‘critical friends’ providing me with independent and invaluable feedback on the welfare of our police dogs.”

Selina Taunton, Police Dog Welfare Visitor, said: “I absolutely love dogs and I wanted to support police dogs and ensure they’re being treated right. Once a month I visit kennels to ensure they’re clean and warm for the animals and that all their health records are up-to-date. I also attend training days with the dog handlers to ensure they’re treating the animals correctly.”

Volunteer Dog Welfare Visitor, Lesley Graffham, and Cheshire PCC, David Keane, explain the benefits of the Dog Welfare Visitor Scheme in the video below:

If you are interested in becoming an Police Dog Welfare Visitor, please contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on 01606 364000 or send an email.