Public Servant Lifestyle

Hero Northumbria Police dog Jake has come in for yet more praise - from the rescue centre that saved him. He has been awarded the Ted Trophy by the German Shepherd Dog Rescue and Rehoming Centre, which originally found Jake tied to a lampost as a puppy.

(Pictured, right:) Northumbria Police dog Jake with PC Alistair Cairnie-Coates and Alyson Lockwood.

The trophy is given to a rescue dog which has acted exceptionally during the year. This year it goes to Jake, who was praised by senior officers for finding a woman collapsed in bushes in South Shields less than an hour after she was reported missing on August 21.

Jake's handler PC Alistair Cairnie-Coates is delighted with his dog's success after he had such a poor start in life.

He was just seven weeks old when he was rescued by the German Shepherd Centre after being found tied to a lampost in the street - he had been tormented by youths with fireworks. Taken on as a recruit by the force's Dog Section Jake - who is now almost three - proved more than up to the job, completing his basic training and becoming a full licenced police dog as he celebrated his first birthday.

(Pictured, left:) Jake with PC Alistair Cairnie-Coates and his trophy.

PC Cairnie-Coates, who is based at South Shields with Jake, said: "I'm very proud of him and glad he's getting the recognition he deserves. It's amazing how well he's doing after having such a bad start in life. He just gets on with it and I'm sure he will be an asset to the force in the years to come."

Alyson added: "We are delighted that Jake has found a job that he enjoys. Considering the ordeal he went through as a puppy, he is such a confident and boisterous dog. We heard that he did so well to find the missing woman and we felt it would be appropriate for him to receive the trophy this year."

Also at the presentation was Frank Lucas, who donates the Ted Trophy to the rescue centre each year in memory of his dog Ted, a former Durham Police dog who has since died.

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