Police dog Ted announces his retirement (From Watford Observer)

Police dog Ted starts leisurely retirement after a life helping put criminals behind bars

4:30pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

One of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire police’s best known faces has retired after nine years in the job and is looking forward to putting his paws up at his new home.

During his illustrious career Ted the Springer Spaniel, 10, has uncovered firearms and large amounts of drugs and cash which have helped to put criminals behind bars.

Ted shot to fame in 2010 after showing off his skills for the cameras at a media event and even has his own Facebook page on which he announced his retirement today (Monday).

PC Jason Keir, who has been Ted’s handler and companion since 2004, said: "Ted is a real personality and an excellent police dog.

"During Ted's service he had two ligament operations on both back legs at different times, which would normally mean early retirement, but he made such a good recovery after both operations and managed another year’s service."

Ted, who was given to Bedfordshire police as a gift in 2003, has been re-housed with a family in Sawtry, Cambridgeshire.

PC Keir added: "I visit him to ensure he has settled in and he is still so energetic - he spends hours playing with his beloved tennis ball or collecting rotten apples from his new owners’ garden and stacking them in his new home to play with later.

"After having Ted for nearly nine years I do miss him and so do my children but I know he is having a nice life being spoilt, sleeping on a sofa and living indoors for the first time."

The dog unit that serves the two forces has 39 members of different breeds. Since April 1 they have attended 1,395 incidents and 214 arrests have been made as a direct result of their work.