The Dog That Changed the Law

On 5 October 2016, Police Constable Dave Wardell and his dog Finn were called to an incident that involved a suspect who was believed to be armed. Having located the suspect, the officer challenged him and ordered him to stop; he failed to do this and attempted to evade the police officer by climbing a fence. Finn was released and grabbed hold of the suspect by the leg, forcing him to the ground. The suspect then stabbed the dog in the chest and slashed him across the head. Wardell also received a cut to his hand in the melee, and through the whole event, despite life-threatening injuries, Finn refused to release his hold on the miscreant’s leg. Only when other police units arrived did the dedicated dog release his attacker.

The determined canine was rushed to the nearest veterinary surgeon. Dave Wardell reported that as his critically ill dog lay on the table being examined, Finn noticed the injury to Dave’s hand and licked the wound. Finn was transferred to a specialist clinic. The knife had come within an inch of Finn’s heart, but the immediate problem was the air rushing through the wound and entering his chest. A drain was inserted to assist Finn in breathing. However, it was discovered that major surgery was required to stem the massive leak.  Brilliant veterinary surgeon Rob Adams and his team spent 4 hours operating, during which a part of his lung was removed, and they succeeded in stabilising Finn. Despite all their efforts, it was unsure if he would survive the night. Having worked with veterinary surgeons over the years, sometimes under the most challenging of circumstances and having seen the x-rays, I can only congratulate all concerned who did an Incredible job that day.

It should be remembered that Finn was no ordinary police dog as far as Dave Wardell was concerned. He had raised him from a puppy and trained him from scratch.

Incredibly, Finn returned to active duty 11 weeks later, only to be retired shortly afterwards at the age of 8, as is customary with police dogs.

What crime has been committed?

What followed became a massive issue as it was discovered that although the delinquent teenager could be charged with Actual Bodily Harm for his assault on the police constable, he could only be charged with Criminal Damage when it came to Finn. It is the same offence as if he had broken a light bulb.

This incident showed a massive gap in the law, showing that police dogs had no legal protection. In fact, no service animal, including horses, had any protection. Amazingly, despite the continued use of dogs by the police in the UK for over 100 years, nobody had given a thought to their legal status. At that time, they were considered to have no more value than the aforementioned light bulb.

This caused outrage as the public became aware that the service animals that protect us have so little value, unlike in the United States of America, where legislation protects police dogs with a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment for causing them injury.

Sir Oliver Heald introduced a private members bill to the House of Commons, which became law on June 8, 2019.

It is called the Animal Welfare Act (Service Animal) 2019.

Also known as Finns Law.

Now, it is almost impossible for a suspect to claim self-defence when confronted by a police dog.

As I have said before, when told to stop, STOP.  The police dog runs faster than a human. It’s not rocket science.

A rising star

After retirement, Finn and PC Wardell appeared on the television show Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) with a mind-reading act that saw them reach the final. Their introduction was an extremely emotional moment for all, and many of the audience and judges, including Simon Cowell, were reduced to tears.

Finn was awarded the PDSA Gold Medal, which is considered the equivalent of the George Cross.

In the 22 years since its creation, it has only been awarded 31 times. Ten of those have police dogs, two of which were awarded the medal posthumously.

This is considered the civilian equivalent of the Dicken Medal, which is awarded to military animals and recognised as the animal’s Victoria Cross.

Internal investiagtion

There will be those of you who knew that in January 2023, Dave Wardell was being investigated by Hertfordshire Constabulary regarding animal welfare issues. Having investigated the complaint, they concluded in November 2023, 10 months later, that he had “no case to answer.” I know that the wheels of justice move slowly, but 10 months for an internal investigation? Just as well, they don’t investigate murders!!

Disgusted by his treatment, Dave Wardell resigned from the police force after 20 years of service.

Opinion: “No case to answer” is a “cop-out” (no pun intended!). Just as is “not proven”. Both leave a stigma and, in this case, raise the question that maybe the charges were spurious and the result of jealousy and other issues.

Finn passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 27th of July, 2023, at 14 years old.

RIP

NB Within weeks of Finn’s passing over £40,000 has been raised to build a statue as a tribute to not only a brave dog but one whose legacy will live on.