First Staffie to work in UK policing retires in Gloucestershire

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which was the first of its breed to work in the police in the UK, retired today after an eight-year career.

Police Dog Stella the Staffie joined Gloucestershire Constabulary in 2014 after she was rescued by the RSPCA in 2013 and taken in by RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre in Somerset.

PC Claire Todd was her handler from the beginning, as PD Stella went through the Constabulary’s training programme.

The nine-year-old pooch is trained to search for drugs, money, firearms and ammunition.

During her career she has found three firearms, thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash, and helped keep the streets of Gloucestershire safe.

She has also appeared on television series The Dog Rescuers, performed a demonstration in the main arena at Crufts, been honoured with an Animal Hero Award in 2015, and PC Todd was interviewed live on Good Morning Britain with PD Stella by her side.

PC Todd will adopt PD Stella following her well-earned retirement.

She said: “It’s been a pleasure working with PD 2025 Stella for the past eight and a half years.

“From the first day I met her back in 2014, I knew she was a very special rescue dog with massive potential.

“Stella has taught me so much about Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and what loyal, loving and intelligent dogs they are.

“She passed her drugs, cash and firearms recovery course in just four weeks, compared to the usual six.

“Stella has clearly loved every moment of her job. To her it’s been fun – she searches, gets her ball and loves every moment, but she doesn’t know how important her role in the Force has been.”

As well as her role in helping to fight crime, PD Stella and her handler PC Todd have taken part in school talks and demonstrations, engaged with the community and helped those who have had a fear of dogs.

PC Todd said: “Stella has broken down barriers within the communities, as everyone has wanted to chat about Stella.

“Even some of the prisoners have been so much more engaging with Stella present on searches – shocked and thrilled that a Staffie is a police dog.

“So many people who have been scared of dogs have overcome their fear when meeting Stella due to her gentle loving nature with everyone she meets.

“I’m so very proud of Stella and proud that the Constabulary gave her a chance back in 2014 to be the first Staffie police Dog in the UK.

“I cannot thank Gloucestershire Constabulary enough for using rescue dogs for all their specialist search dogs, as these amazing dogs are definitely all worth their weight in gold.”

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