‘Stella the Staffie’ was taken in by RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, in Somerset, in 2013 when she was found roaming the streets by an RSPCA inspector. Her skills and potential were spotted by kennel supervisor Sue Dicks who realised she had a special talent and got in touch with her police contacts who’d taken rescue dogs on for working before.
Sue said:
Sue contacted the police and, on 17 January 2014, PC Claire Todd came to collect the rescue to join Gloucestershire Constabulary’s training programme. She later qualified as a cash, drugs and firearms detection sniffer dog – believed to be only the second Staffordshire bull terrier at the time in such a role – and hit the streets with PC Todd.
Stella is trained to search for drugs including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy; money including Sterling and Euros; and guns and ammunition.
The day after qualifying, during her first live search, she found a £200 case hidden inside a drawer. Since then, PD Stella has spent eight years working tirelessly to help PC Todd and her four-legged partner German Shepherd PD Quest fight crime, catch crooks and keep the public safe.
In October 2015, PD Stella was honoured with a special award at the Animal Hero Awards – organised by the Daily Mirror in partnership with the RSPCA – where she was named Public Service Animal of the Year.
Stella has helped to change the unfair public perception and stereotype that Staffies have been plagued with through her police work and presence on social media – where she has more than 28,000 followers on Twitter – and by appearing at events such as Crufts.
The 10-year-old retired on Saturday (17 September).
PC Todd – who will adopt her as a pet when she hangs up her police badge – said:
I’m so proud of her, she’s had an incredible career. Time has flown by since she became my police dog in 2014. I’ll be sad not to have her by my side when I’m out working, but I’m so pleased that I’ll get to come home to her every day. She’s such a special dog and she’s achieved so much in her life, particularly given her poor start.
Before retiring, Claire and Stella went to visit Sue, at West Hatch, in August to catch up with her. Sue added:
While Stella may have hung up her badge, she’s been helping PC Todd train the next generation of police dogs, such as RSPCA rescues PD Marshall and PD Bonnie, who both qualified earlier this year.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals just like Stella, please donate online call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
