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Handler – PC Dean Allen
Hero stabbed police dog dies after short illness
A hero police dog who was famed after surviving a horrifc knife attack in the line of duty has died after a short illness. PD Axle was a star of police in the county and they have paid tribute to him following his death. Derbyshire Constabulary Dog Section tweeted: “It’s with sadness that we have to inform you that RPD Axle passed away last week after a short illness. He was far more than ‘the dog who got stabbed’.”From burglars to murderers, he dealt with them all and we thank him for his unwavering service.”They went on: “We also thank Karen and Dave who looked after him in his retirement and loved him very much. Not just an outstanding police dog but an outstanding dog overall! You’ll be missed Axle!” PD Axle was stabbed three times after he chased a suspect in Riddings in July 2018. Following surgery, the German shepherd returned to duty with his handler, PC Dean Allen.Axle retired as an eight-year-old dog in 2019. He had arrived in Derbyshire from his native Germany in late 2012.Speaking after Axle’s retirement, PC Allen told DerbyshireLive : “He’s caught countless criminals over the years, including on the run murderer Leon Lockhart in Somercotes, ironically sniffed out by Axle clinging to the ‘axle’ of a motorhome. “It always surprises me that even with him in full voice, or full scream for those that have heard him, people still make the decision to try and run away. Even on his last set of nights he still had the measure of a couple of fleeing burglars – not bad for an old lad of eight-and-a-half.”
