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Dangerous Offenders Jailed As "Courageous" Police Dog Retires

A Humberside Police dog who was initially deemed too difficult to train has retired this week after a career of jailing dangerous offenders and saving lives.

Dangerous offenders are behind bars and lives have been saved thanks to the relentless work of a Humberside Police dog who has retired this week..

Police Dog Saff officially finished her duties at nearly nine years of age following an outstanding career of service to local communities.

Alongside her handler, PC Matthews, the courageous canine has been responsible for countless apprehensions. Their partnership ensured that some of the most dangerous criminals in the region were caught and subsequently jailed.

Her highly successful career comes despite early setbacks and doubts about her temperament. Before reaching two years of age, the young animal had already been returned by two previous handlers who found her too difficult to manage. A police dog trainer had also described her as being too much of a challenge.

Reflecting on their successful partnership, PC Matthews said:

"When I was first paired with Saff, she wasn’t the obvious choice. Before she was even two years old, she’d already been returned by two handlers who said she was ‘too difficult’ and a trainer saying she was ‘too much of a challenge’.

But that excited me. I saw something different. I saw the ‘Sassiness of Saff’ along with the challenge and knowledge of some very hard work!

Over the years, she has become so much more than a police dog.

She’s been courageous, relentless, stubborn, incredibly intelligent, and above all, completely loyal. A real will to protect people without fear or favour.

She saved lives and caught some people who needed to be caught. What more can be asked.

Now, at nearly nine years old, Saff has earned the retirement every working dog deserves."

Humberside Police officials have expressed their gratitude to the retiring dog, thanking her for her outstanding service to the public and wishing her a happy retirement.

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