Puppy walkers celebrated for police force support

A woman who has helped raise more than 50 police dogs for the last 15 years has been given an award by the West Midlands force.

Louise Stokes has been presented with the police force's Volunteer of the Year Award.

"From Cocker Spaniels to Belgian Malinois, they have joined Louise and her family for the first six to 12 months of their lives, with many going on to become fantastic police dogs," a police spokesperson said.

The force said it was celebrating its puppy walkers and other "amazing people who support West Midlands Police", as part of Volunteers Week.

The puppy walkers give up their time and their homes to look after trainee police dogs.

The role of Stokes and her family has included caring for Chip, the force's first "data dog".

Chip, who retired from police work in April, aged eight, was trained to sniff out devices to catch criminals.

Officers said the Chocolate Sprocker was responsible for hundreds of finds, including mobile phones, sim cards and trackers.

Chip had a successful seven-year career, they added, and has now returned to the Stokes family, where he is enjoying a "well-earned retirement".

Louise's support was "invaluable", said Dave Raymond, breed scheme manager.

"Louise is always willing to help us out and is a big supporter of our dog unit and police dogs which means everything to us," he said.

"She is truly amazing and we are so happy she's been recognised for her dedication and commitment.

"We couldn't do this without our amazing puppy walkers. We have some of the best police dogs in the world and part of that is down to them."

Chip has been joined at the family home by Boost, a Springer Spaniel from the force's Cadbury litter, born in April, and one year-old Ozzy, named as part of its "Black Sabbath litter".

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