Saxon is Saved.. Horray

#1 16-10-06, 06:36 PM

Posted 16.10.06
Police Dog Saxon: Update

The future of Saxon the police dog has been decided, following the latest and final assessment obtained by Gwent Police.

The objective of the assessment was to gain an informed understanding of the dog and his behaviour, and to receive an unbiased recommendations regarding all viable options for his future from an independent source.

Gwent Police has been working closely with Gwent Police Authority’s Animal Welfare Committee, and although a number of assessments had been carried out in the past, the Force accepted the Committee’s recommendation that a this further, fuller assessment was necessary requestednecessaryn.

The importance of the duration of the assessment was emphasised by the Animal Welfare Committee, as, in order to receive a fair assessment on his normal behaviour, Saxon needed to be in an environment where trust had been built with a handler. It was felt that a four-week period would be sufficient for such a trust to be built.

Chair of the Gwent Police Authority's Animal Welfare Committee- Councillor John Williams said:

"It is our view that Gwent Police have acted very responsibly towards Saxon in agreeing to this final assessment, despite the fact they have been heavily criticised for doing so. They have a duty of care to Saxon, (which senior management have acknowledged to us) and they also have a duty of care to ensure that they do not compromise anyone’s safety if he is re-homed. The two can be mutually achievable but to do so the risks (if any) have to be clearly identified, and managed accordingly".

Gwent Police has accepted fully the findings of this latest report and can confirm that as a result, Saxon will not be put to sleep, but will be re-homed. Although the Force will not seek to renew Saxon’s licence as a general-purpose police dog, he will continue to serve as a working dog. Saxon will be placed into an environment outside of Gwent Police - working only with an experienced handler.

The assessment report categorically states that Saxon should not be placed in a ‘pet environment’, effectively ruling out a domestic placement with his ex-handler.

The next stage will be to identify a suitable working environment for Saxon that meets the criteria laid out in the assessment.

Gwent Police has also noted and accepted the report’s criticism of some practices within the organisation with regard to dog handlingof the Forces arrangements with regard to dog training, and plans have already been instigated to remedy thisaddress these matters. These plans include utilising best practice from within the police service in order to improve our processes, and also working with an experienced assessor to bring industry leading external practice into the Force.

Gwent Police and the Animal Welfare Committee acknowledge that this decision has come at the end of a long process, and also appreciate the concern that the public has shown towards Saxon. We are satisfied that the time taken has been justified with to achieve what we are confident is the correct outcome for Saxon.

- ENDS –

The full assessment report is available here

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Gwent Police Update on Saxon
Posted 4th September 2006

The police dog, Saxon, has received formal assessments from another police force and an independent assessor. The dog was assessed as not being fit for policing purposes. In addition to this, other public bodies have declined to accept the dog, again, due to suitability issues.

Following consultation with members of Gwent Police Authority’s Animal welfare committee it has been decided that a further, lengthier, assessment should be carried out to better inform our decision on Saxon’s future.

The assessment, which will commence today, will be carried out by a well-respected expert in the field of working dogs, and will last for up to four weeks.

Gwent Police are in regular communication with Saxon’s assessors and can confirm that he is in good health and being well cared for

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SAXON - PRESS STATEMENT
Posted 17th August 2006

The police dog Saxon, has now been assessed on a number of occasions in order to allow the Force to make the right decision about its future.

Concerns about the dog's demeanour were first raised by its handler several weeks ago. As a result, a local assessment was conducted by Gwent Police, which confirmed the handler's concerns that the dog represented a risk to the general public. The Force attempted to find an alternative role for the dog, but it was subsequently assessed by the Prison Service as being unsuitable for use within the prison environment.

In order to obtain an independent opinion, Saxon has since been assessed by officers from Strathclyde Police who are recognised nationally for their expertise in this area. The assessment confirmed that for reasons of public safety, the dog could no longer be used for policing purpose, nor was it suitable for transfer to another public service organisation, nor would it be safe for it to be kept as a pet by any member of the public.

A significant amount of interest has been shown in Saxon's future and Gwent Police recognises that for some people, this is an emotive issue. We have therefore decided to obtain a third party opinion from an organisation, which is completely independent of the police service. It has been agreed that an accredited member of the Institute of Professional Dog Trainers will undertake this assessment and arrangements have been made for it to take place on Friday of this week.

Once this assessment has been completed, the findings will be considered along with those, which have already been undertaken and a decision will be taken about the dog’s future. Gwent Police has commissioned this additional independent assessment to ensure that we make the right decision, which carefully balances the welfare of the animal against our responsibility to ensure that the public are not put at risk.

We would stress that no decision has yet been made regarding Saxon's future, nor will it be until the additional independent assessment has been completed at the end of the week.

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SAXON - PRESS STATEMENT
Posted 8th August, 2006

Saxon was assessed by HM Prison Service earlier today who concluded that he is ‘not suitable as a potential prison patrol dog.’

Gwent Police will now review the situation and explore other options for Saxon’s future.

He is currently being cared for at police kennels alongside other police dogs receiving the same high standards of care and exercise.

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SAXON - PRESS STATEMENT
Posted 7th August, 2006

A great deal of public interest has been shown in the future of the police dog, Saxon, which has recently been withdrawn from operational duties as a result of concerns about its temperament.

Saxon will be assessed tomorrow, Tuesday 8th August, by HM Prison Service with a view to his working with them in the future.

Such a move would enable Saxon to continue to use training and skills acquired as a police dog in a more closely controlled environment where access to the general public is restricted. This would be a positive outcome since our priority has always been to ensure the safety of the public.

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GSDOWNER · #2 17-10-06, 06:56 AM

That is absoultly fantastic news to read, I was really upset when I first heard the news about his fate. I bet Caroline & Mike are over the moon. its a shame tho he will not retired with his handler.