RETIRING Police dog handler, PC Roy Aspinall, is leaving the force after 26 years of working alongside man's best friend.

Roy, of Birchwood, regards his four-legged friends as part of the family, and takes them home at the end of his shift, where they have a place as the family pet.

"I have looked after five dogs throughout my career and become attached to each and every one. I am pleased that they will stay with me when I leave the force," he said.

His current companions are George and Scooby who regularly track down criminals, search for runaways and move people along after the pub shuts!

Upon the triple retirement, the last working day falling on March 3, Roy has the future mapped out for him and the dogs.

"I want to do some driving, delivering parcels or something simple like that. As for the dogs, they're becoming full time pets."

Roy's present dogs haven't caused him as much stress as previous ones. His last dog Major had a few hair-raising ordeals as Roy recalled.

"We were involved in a search late one night and Major fell through the roof. It was terrifying for me to watch, but fortunately he landed on a police officer searching below, who basically saved him from serious injury or worse."

Roy is just as popular among his human colleagues. Fellow dog handler Bob Wilson said: "To be honest, there is nothing bad I can say about him. He's good at his job and treats the dogs as if they were people."

Before he leaves the force, Roy has started the search for replacement dogs. If you have a German shepherd, labrador or spaniel that would make a valued police dog, please contact 01270 610954 for further details.

Roy, of Birchwood, regards his four-legged friends as part of the family, and takes them home at the end of his shift, where they have a place as family pets.

"I have looked after five dogs throughout my career and become attached to each and every one. I am pleased that they will stay with me when I leave the force," he said.

His current companions are George and Scooby who regularly track down criminals, search for runaways and move people along after the pubs shut!

Upon the triple retirement, the last working day falling on March 3, Roy has the future mapped out for him and the dogs.

"I want to do some driving, delivering parcels or something simple like that. As for the dogs, they're becoming full time pets."

Roy's present dogs haven't caused him as much stress as previous ones. Major had a few hair-raising ordeals as Roy recalled.

"We were involved in a search late one night and Major fell through the roof. It was terrifying for me to watch, but fortunately he landed on a police officer searching below, who basically saved him from serious injury or worse."

Roy is just as popular among his human colleagues. Fellow dog handler Bob Wilson said: "To be honest, there is nothing bad I can say about him. He's good at his job and treats the dogs as if they were people."

Before he leaves the force, Roy has started the search for replacement dogs. If you have a German shepherd, labrador or spaniel that would make a valued police dog, please contact 01270 610954 for further details.

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