PD Vinnie was a General Purpose Dog and in 2018 he qualified as a Tactical Firearms Support dog which meant he had the ability to work alongside armed response officers if required. He originally served in Gloucester Police before moving to Wiltshire Police.
Dog Section Manager Ian Partington said: “PD Vinnie was a fantastic police dog – he had all the skills you look for in an ideal police dog and we are all extremely saddened by this news, especially his handler PC Duffy.”
A vet appointment recently confirmed that PD Vinnie was suffering from prostate cancer and the symptoms had only come to the fore in the last couple of weeks. Sadly, the illness was very progressive.
Ian added: “The bond between a police dog handler and their dog is indescribably strong. As with all our police dogs, PD Vinnie lived at home with PC Duffy and his family – I know they will be hit hard by the news.
“Police dogs are an incredible asset to our police force and their skills are unmatched. Vinnie will be missed – thank you for your service.”
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