BERNIE, Hattie and Buddy are taking the lead in North West Fire and Rescue Services' fight against arson - and they have received praise from Fire Safety Minister Phil Hope.
The dogs - Springer spaniel Bernie and Labradors Hattie and Buddy - are owned and trained by retired firefighter Dave Peplow of Leyland.
They work under contract for Lancashire, Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Services, and last year were called out to about 100 incidents, including 27 fire fatalities and murder probes.
And the experiences of the North West's canine trio have helped the Government pull together guidance on the care, principles and proper deployment of the dogs.
Fire investigation dogs play a significant role by assisting the fire and rescue service to identify the cause, development and spread of fire. By detecting the presence of accelerants, the dogs alert fire and police officers to the possibility of arson. Mr Hope said: "One of the most powerful deterrents in the fight against arson is the fear of detection. The new guidance highlights the significant role that fire investigation dogs like Bernie, Hattie and Buddy can take, acting as a powerful deterrent while playing an integral part in arson investigations."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article