Maxxs_Mummy
Well-known member
Taken from the South Wales Argus.....
Jail could be a lifeline for Saxon
By Ben Payne
LIFELINE: Saxon the police dog with handler Mike Townley. The Prison Service says it could give Saxon work
A POLICE dog's life could be saved today if he is given work by the Prison Service.
An Internet campaign, Save our Saxon, was launched after news that Saxon, a five-year-old German shepherd, could be put down.
Hundreds of animal lovers across Wales, the UK, Spain and even Illinois, in the USA, sent protest emails to Gwent Police, who branded him "dangerous".
A spokesman for the force said Saxon's future, which was "under consideration" after nearly four years' service, would be decided today.
continued...
And she said there was a chance he could be saved.
"Saxon will be assessed by HM Prison Service with a view to working with them," she said.
"Such a move would enable Saxon to continue to use skills acquired in a more closely controlled environment where access to the general public is restricted."
But Caroline Townley, whose dog handler husband, PC Mike Townley, has worked with Saxon for four years, said she was against a transfer to the Prison Service. She is desperate to save him and keep him as a family pet.
She said: "If his licence has been withdrawn and not to be re-issued as a police dog, how can this dangerous' dog be licensed with the Prison Service?
"There is no guarantee that will be acceptable in Saxon's mind as no-one can take Mike's place in his eyes."
Mrs Townley, of Nantyglo, said because her house was in the "middle of nowhere" Saxon would cause no harm.
Jail could be a lifeline for Saxon
By Ben Payne
LIFELINE: Saxon the police dog with handler Mike Townley. The Prison Service says it could give Saxon work
A POLICE dog's life could be saved today if he is given work by the Prison Service.
An Internet campaign, Save our Saxon, was launched after news that Saxon, a five-year-old German shepherd, could be put down.
Hundreds of animal lovers across Wales, the UK, Spain and even Illinois, in the USA, sent protest emails to Gwent Police, who branded him "dangerous".
A spokesman for the force said Saxon's future, which was "under consideration" after nearly four years' service, would be decided today.
continued...
And she said there was a chance he could be saved.
"Saxon will be assessed by HM Prison Service with a view to working with them," she said.
"Such a move would enable Saxon to continue to use skills acquired in a more closely controlled environment where access to the general public is restricted."
But Caroline Townley, whose dog handler husband, PC Mike Townley, has worked with Saxon for four years, said she was against a transfer to the Prison Service. She is desperate to save him and keep him as a family pet.
She said: "If his licence has been withdrawn and not to be re-issued as a police dog, how can this dangerous' dog be licensed with the Prison Service?
"There is no guarantee that will be acceptable in Saxon's mind as no-one can take Mike's place in his eyes."
Mrs Townley, of Nantyglo, said because her house was in the "middle of nowhere" Saxon would cause no harm.