AN award-winning police dog training centre has welcomed plans to launch a nationwide review of training techniques following cruelty claims in the South of England. A police spokesman said Lancashire Constabulary's Dog Training Centre was prepared to help in any way possible after Essex police launched an inquiry following the death of a dog in training.

The dog died after an instructor allegedly ordered his handler to kick him.

Lancashire training school, at the force's Hutton headquarters, is regarded as one of the best in the country and regularly trains dogs from all over the world. It frequently wins awards and commendations for the work it carries out.

A spokesman said: "We are under close scrutiny here and have never had a case of dog cruelty brought against us. We follow guidelines set in the Home Office police training manual which insists that corporal punishment of dogs is banned.

"Any discipline carried out on the dogs follows those which are written down in the guidelines, which include the use of a choke chain or the withdrawal of praise."

The investigation has been launched into training methods used on aggressive dogs. Most police dogs which have aggressive streaks are 'front line' dogs while at Hutton most of the dogs are trained as sniffer dogs.

But now Government ministers have been urged to launch a nationwide inquiry by experts in animal behaviour and the RSPCA.

The police spokesman added: "We are very proud of our record of achievement here but if helping with an inquiry will help to restore public confidence into training methods then we are only be to pleased to co-operate."

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