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Handler – PC Sean Foster
Brave Northamptonshire Police dog who ‘saved lives’ for seven years dies
A brave police dog who retired earlier this year after “saving lives” for seven years has sadly died after she became ill. PD Nala was given a hero’s farewell after she retired from Northamptonshire Police in May after a career which saw her apprehend countless criminals. In fact, such was her service that when collar numbers were first assigned to dogs after the introduction of Finn’s Law in 2019, PD Nala was given PD1. The force have decided to retire the number in memory of the heroic dog. Nala was born on April 15, 2012 as part of a West Midlands Police dog breeding programme, formally joining Northamptonshire Police as a general purpose police dog after successfully completing her initial course licensing alongside PC Foster in February 2014. In the seven years which have passed since her licensing, Nala has been fundamental in achieving countless successful results and has played a huge part in protecting the people of Northamptonshire. In 2016 while responding to reports of aggravated burglary, Nala was struck around the face with a crowbar and despite her injuries, she found two missing suspects who were hiding under a caravan. Two years later, Nala helped track two suspects who had fled from a vehicle stop and search and, in 2020, she went after burglars who had escaped through a residential estate. Despite the area being cleared by the police helicopter, Nala spent two hours searching gardens and found a suspect hiding. Just a month before her May 2021 retirement, she caught and held a man as he attempted to flee following a car chase despite him trying to choke her. Most recently, through the use of her highly trained senses, Nala was involved in the successful resolution of an incident of aggravated burglary. After diligently searching the area for two hours and recovering multiple weapons and stolen items, she kept her nose to the ground and successfully located the offender, despite the nearby woodland and gardens having been cleared by officers. She received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Thin Blue Paw Awards in September. On her retirement, PD Nala’s handler PC Sean Foster said: “Working alongside Nala for the past seven years has been an honour and a privilege. She will now spend her days relaxing at home, being showered by affection from my two young daughters who adore her. “I am currently in the process of licensing with a second police dog, Duke, who with Nala as his teacher, I’m absolutely confident will follow in her paw-steps and achieve some fantastic results for the Force.” Confirming the death on social media, Northants Police Dog Section said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of retired PD Nala. Very sadly, due to ill health, Nala had to be put to sleep on Monday.”She will be very sadly missed by all who knew her and our thoughts are with her handler Sean and his family.”
