Fed member shares story of ‘incredible’ police dog found abandoned last year

3 September 2024

PC Rebecca (Becky) Clark was assigned Police Dog Cleo in February after the young Belgian Malinois was discovered last October by Slough Borough Council, who suspected she had freed herself from being tied to a tree.

Cleo was then put into care at Villiers Farm Kennels in Milton Keynes, where she began her difficult journey back to full health.

“She was not in a good way at all – she was very emaciated and underweight,” Becky said.

“She may be a Mally (Malinois), but she looked like a skinny greyhound for a while.

PC Rebecca (Becky) Clark and Police Dog Cleo.

“We don’t have much information on her backstory, other than the fact she was clearly left to fend for herself.”

But despite her cruel treatment, Cleo was never for giving in, and warmed kennel staff with her indomitable spirit, leading them to believe she had “something about her”. Once she became stronger, Hertfordshire Constabulary were approached about her possible suitability for their Police Dog Unit (PDU).

An instructor from the PDU then went to visit Cleo and immediately saw her potential as a police dog, and plans were subsequently made for Becky to become her handler.

Confrontational

“My first police dog, Sheriff, was being retired nine months after I was assigned her due to environmental struggles. She enjoyed some parts of her role such as tracking, but it became clear she wasn’t comfortable being confrontational or bite-trained,” Becky continued.

“I knew the conversation about Sheriff’s retirement was coming and it was definitely the best thing for her happiness. But in the space of a few days, I went from saying goodbye to her and hello to Cleo – and that was a lot for me to deal with.”

This quick turnaround meant both halves of the Constabulary’s newest PDU partnership had been through some recent emotional hardship, but thankfully, Becky says a bond was formed straight away.

Becky and Cleo when they became licensed.

“I was initially nervous to see if she would take to me, especially having been through something so heartbreaking. There was also the fact that it was my first experience with a Mally, having only had German Shepherds – Sheriff is one – in both my personal and professional lives.

“Those nerves quickly went away though when I realised Cleo just wanted someone to call mum. We hit it off straight away and I have loved the bones of her ever since.”

Becky and Cleo then embarked on the PDU’s training course, and over the coming months, the four-legged officer’s confidence and physical endurance improved significantly.

Locating criminals

Cleo, who is believed to have been born in January 2022, also settled in well into home life with Becky.

The pair’s relationship continued to blossom as Cleo became licensed as a general-purpose police dog on 21 June. Since being operational, she has assisted police in various situations such as property searches, clearing woodland areas as a high-risk person was tracked, and locating criminal occupants of a decamped vehicle.

“It’s early days, but she is doing really well,” said Becky.

“She is keen to impress and is an absolute goofball at times. As with her breed, her athleticism knows no limits – she can easily clear 6ft walls, for example.

“We had a connection from day one, but over our training, that became even deeper in a working sense. We have that eye contact out on operation, which I think helps to reassure her that everything is alright and she is doing a good job.

“She is incredible and I just love her, to be honest.”

The 44-year-old added that the success story should be seen as testament to what the Police Force can do to help a dog realise its full potential, rather than merely being viewed as what a dog can do for the Police Force.

“Being a police dog isn’t for every dog, and that was certainly the case with Sherriff. And that’s absolutely fine, because we would never want to pressure any dog and make them feel uncomfortable.

“We just want to get the best out of any dog we work with and give them an enjoyable life,” she said.

Genetics

This sentiment was echoed by Sergeant Jim Hoare, training manager for the Joint Protective Services Dog Unit of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire Constabularies and Bedfordshire Police.

“I think it’s only right that if we have the opportunity to harness the character traits and genetics of a potentially successful police dog, we take it.

“Over the last few years, we have seen an influx of high-drive dogs offered to us that we suspect people got when they had more time on their hands with COVID. Since coming out of the pandemic, it’s evident a fair few of them have then been given up.

“So, it’s great when we can make use of dogs that are unwanted and give them a home and a purpose. I have to give credit to our instructional team for bringing Cleo into the fold – it’s a really positive example of our flexible and open attitude towards recruiting new dogs. It highlights the instructors’ ability to identify potential and conduct successful assessment processes.

“And of course, I have to credit Becky for her work. She had to emotionally process losing her previous dog and she made a bond with Cleo immediately, which is crucial. She is already getting results from her operationally, too.

“We couldn’t ask for more from Becky, and she has certainly done herself and the department proud,” he said.