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Tell us if we're barking up the wrong tree, but the Auckland Police Dog Section is in need of at least two German Shepherd dogs to enter its training programme to become Police dogs.

Ideally the unit wants:

• A German Shepherd male aged between nine months and 2 years;
• One that likes to chase anything (ball, stick, toy) over and over and for a long time;
• One that is confident in all places i.e. parks, street walks, inside buildings, cars etc.
• One that is active….has a bit of 'naughtiness' about him or is always running about, chewing or tugging at things.

"Families or individuals will know the type of dog we mean when we say 'the dog they remember purchasing as a small bundle of joy at around eight weeks old has since grown too big, strong, boisterous and active for them to handle or enjoy anymore'," says Supervisor Trainer John Bleackley.

"It may be a dog that the owners have lost interest in or it could be they've run out of time to exercise it properly and it's now destroying the back yard and any shoes or clothing left lying around."

He says the Police dog breeding programme does an excellent job in supplying the unit nationally but that, because of an increased demand in Auckland, there is a need for more dogs around the 10 - 14 month age group.

"As part of our plan to rectify this shortfall, we are appealing to the public for their help to fill the current gap and support our needs," Mr Bleackley says.

"From experience we know that only about one in twenty of public gift dogs viewed and assessed by us makes it into the programme and successfully graduates as a Police dog, but if we don't try we won't know how many are out there."

About 60 per cent of the dogs bred by the Police breeding programme graduate as Police dogs.

Anyone who thinks they might be able to assist the Police by finding a new, law-abiding home for their dog, should contact the Auckland Police Dog Section (09) 5796540, or Sgt Scott Williams 0272 335058 or Sgt John Bleackley 027 2369967.
E-mail john.bleackley@police.govt.nz if that is more suitable.

ENDS

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