Hundreds of offers to rehouse police dog Vegas
Vegas the police dog
VEGAS the cowardly police dog’s luck is in at last. The German Shepherd did not cut the mustard as a crime fighter and Northumbria Police decided to let her go.
And while lacking bite for the job, she is set to enjoy retirement with no shortage of willing animal lovers coming forward to offer her a home. After putting the dog through a tough training programme, police found she was not suited to the demands of a hectic life on the beat – mainly because she just was not vicious enough.
The Journal reported on Wednesday how the 19-month-old got her marching orders because she didn’t “possess the courage needed to make it as a police dog”.
Sgt John Sim from the dog section told how the animal did not find it natural to bite.
“For a good bite the dogs have to get their timing right to take hold of whatever or whoever they are chasing in a determined and positive way and keep hold until instructed to let go by the handler,” he said. “Vegas was too tentative.”
Last week the force released an appeal for families who would like to take Vegas in to get in touch.
Dog lovers were warned Vegas would need lots of exercise and attention. Handlers at the force also said she was aggressive towards other dogs and needed to go to a home without other animals.
But those conditions have not put off many people in the region and yesterday Northumbria Police said it had received an “overwhelming response” with around 300 people calling or emailing the force to throw their hat in the ring.
After being inundated with kind offers the force has now closed down the appeal while it decides where Vegas will spend life after work.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Staff are now progressing more than 300 calls and emails from generous members of the public who think they can offer Vegas a peaceful and stressless new home.
“It is hoped she will be settling into her new home before too long
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