Surrey Police dog recovering after being hit with a metal pole

PD Ludo is now home with his handler

Author: Grace McGachyPublished 17th Sep 2024
Last updated 17th Sep 2024

A Surrey Police dog is said to be recovering well after he was attacked while on duty.

The force say PD Ludo was hit multiple times with a metal pole as officers dealt with an incident in Staines last week.

He's now at home recovering with his handler.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019, also known as Finn's Law.

Finn's Law was introduced to protect service animals such as police dogs and horses. It prevents those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence.

The law is named after Finn, a police dog who was stabbed whilst pursuing a suspect with his handler PC David Wardell. Finn sustained serious stab wounds to the chest and head, but only criminal damage charges could be brought against his attacker.

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