In reporting a Police Dog Handler

[Hadjab]

For leaving his dog in the police van unattended for long stretches?

One of my neighbours has begun a relationship with a police dog handler. He’s gone out and left the dog in the van. It’s getting quite sunny here, and I’ve just realised the dog has been barking for a bit, so I’m assuming it’s getting hot in there. It’s not the first time he’s done it - who should I report him to?

Dog handlers take their vehicles home, along with the dogs so unlikely to be "shagging on duty" as suggested above...

I knew a police dog handler whose dogs would happily sit in his (police) vehicle whilst he was at the gym for a couple of hours. He used to park around the back so they would be left undisturbed. He definitely wasn’t on duty and used the car nonetheless. They are working dogs and this is usual for them. They would bark if anyone got too close. I don’t think this is anything to report.

Dog handlers have their work van all the time as they have the dog full time so he is probably on a day off.

No they don’t. They use their own vehicles when off-duty like every other police officer.

So the dog is a working animal in a suitable vehicle who just happens to be barking. It's fine.

But report the officer because he might, MIGHT, be doing something you don't approve of??? You have no way of knowing and it's none of your business. So why don't you wind your beak in and leave people to get on with their lives.

We don't know if dog has water, how long owner likely to be away and, so, even with temperature regulated van, I'd be concerned for dog's welfare.

Even police dog handlers make mistakes and I wouldn't like to just assume dog is ok.

@AlexaAmbidextra they do where I am. A expect it might be different in other places.

@AlexaAmbidextra it seems to vary significantly force to force.

just happens to be barking. It's fine.
Barking might mean it ISN'T fine.

You said on the previous page that you think your neighbour has gone out because her car is gone, but you need to knock on the door first to ensure no one is in. Then if you get no response you treat it the same as you would if you were concerned for any animal locked in a vehicle, you phone 101 and report your concerns to them.

Generally, well-trained working dogs like police dogs don't bark for no reason.

I'd report it if you can't get hold of your neighbour to let the handler know.

My DH is a dog handler and people making assumptions are a pain in the arse.

The van will have air conditioning.The dog is fine.Working dogs will bark up if they can hear something.The dog will likely live with his/her handler as this fosters a good relationship.Yes the handlers bring their vans home.No it's not uncommon for the dogs to go with their handlers to places other than work.

Think about it.If he's single and with your friend then who's at home and available to take care of his dog/dogs then?Working dogs are usually treated like kings/queens by their handlers.I absolutely wouldn't worry.

Just stick a note on the van telling him the dog has been barking for quite a while. He'll know if it's normal or not, don't report for a first offence.

@AlexaAmbidextra they do where I am. A expect it might be different in other places.

I stand corrected. I’m just amazed that some forces have enough money to provide each handler with their own personal van. I thought they were all cash-strapped. I suppose it depends how big your dog section is. If it’s a grand total of two handlers it might be more feasible.

Working or not the handler isn't, well, handling is he? Certainly not the dog anyway.. Does the ddog have to be left distressed? If he was in the address he is parked at he would be aware. He needs to know his 'working partner' isn't happy. How many hours left is acceptable? I would be wanting clarification from a police officer myself...
Police dogs aren't omitted from abuse figures..

Not all forces give dog handlers dog vans, you have nothing to lose in raising your concerns on non emergency number

I still don't think it's okay to keep the dog confined for that amount of time. I'd go mad locked in a car for almost 2 hours.

There have been at least two occasions where it was reported in the national press that police dogs died because of being left in warm weather in a vehicle. It is cruel, and yanbu to report them OP.

They treat the dogs as part of the family as they raise them at home so they have a better bond

Our neighbour was a police dog handler and had dogs outside in kennels all day in all weathers, and mostly they barked and shined in quite a distressed sounding way. Neither the police nor the SSPCA seemed bothered about it.

*whined

They’ve returned and one of my neighbours has just had a go at them for leaving the dog barking in the van...

Barking at a noise then settling down once whatever made the noise is gone, thats normal.

Ongoing, repetitive monotonous barking, like the 'bark bark bark pause to see if theres response bark bark bark, or with a high pitched desperate tone... thats a sign of a lonely/bored/distressed dog.

That isn't ok, whether the dog is a pet or a working dog, they are still animals, they have emotions, they can still suffer.

A dog suffering from stress is a dog who does not learn well, does not respond well to cues, and in a working dog, thats a dog that mistakes Grandma for the bad guy and puts her in hospital when he doesn't respond to an out cue, or breaks a stay and gets run over.

Knock on and say you are concerned at the duration of the barking - these dogs should NOT be left in vans when they can be left in kennels at work or at the handlers home, because they are always at more risk in the van than safely kennelled elsewhere.

Presumably you've spoken to your neighbours too and expressed your concerns OP?

The dog is fine

Phew, we can all stop worrying, a person on the internet knows that everything is OK. That's quite some superpower you have there popsy

@QuantamBaby you need to wind your beak in the OP has a genuine concern and there’s no need to be rude

Where in the country are you?

I saw a similar post on FB once. Turns out it wasn’t a police handler- it was reported, all their vans accounted for. It was a dog trainer who’d decked himself, his van and his dog to look very, very like police, but just within the law of impersonating a police officer. Apparently it was all legal as long as he didn’t actually tell anyone he was a police officer.

I’d be inclined to report. If it is police and the handler is acting correctly, nothing will be done. If not, action will be taken hopefully.