Canine crimebusters aim to be top dog

TWO canine crimebusters and their handlers are vying to be named top dogs at a prestigious national police championship.Lowestoft-based Shadow and PC Steve Vaughan, and Lincoln with handler PC Nick Self, from Bury St Edmunds, have already enjoyed success in winning the right to represent the eastern region at the National Police Dog Trials.

TWO canine crimebusters and their handlers are vying to be named top dogs at a prestigious national police championship.

Lowestoft-based Shadow and PC Steve Vaughan, and Lincoln with handler PC Nick Self, from Bury St Edmunds, have already enjoyed success in winning the right to represent the eastern region at the National Police Dog Trials.

Now the Suffolk police entrants will be pitting their wits against 25 of the top pairings from around the country as they perform in a range of challenging tasks at Leeds Castle, in Kent.

Search and tracking skills, scent identification, dealing with weapon attacks, chasing and detaining an offender and agility are just some of the tasks being tackled by the competitors in the four-day event, which finishes on Sunday.

Shadow's appearance in this weekend's event is particularly remarkable after he recovered from a serious injury, but it is likely to be his swansong as he is scheduled for retirement this summer.

This year's trials started yesterday and the winner will be announced on Sunday.

For further information about the event, visit www.kent.police.uk/dog trials