Gloucestershire police dog named as finalist in Crufts hero awards

A local retired police dog who has kept the nation safe from criminals – finding weapons, drugs and cash throughout her eight-year long career – has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award.

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

9-year-old Stella, named as the finalist in the Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog category of The Kennel Club award, has just retired from Gloucestershire police after serving eight and a half years as a police drugs, cash and firearms recovery dog.

Despite her sad start to life, as an RSPCA rescue dog, Stella overcame the odds to become the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier Police Dog in the UK in 2014. In her working career, alongside her owner PC Claire Todd, Stella has found weapons and thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash, making her a true canine hero, working to keep the nation safe. Outside of her vital work in with the police bringing criminals to justice, she has also helped people overcome their fear of dogs during school and community talks.

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives.

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March.

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake. These heroic teams will be specially recognised at Crufts for their bravery and dedication.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity.

The public can now watch each of the finalist’s stories, including Stella’s, in specially-made videos, and vote for their Hero Dog 2023, until 4pm on Sunday 12 March, by visiting crufts.org.uk/herodogaward

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk