Rescue Pup Turns Crime-Buster in Surrey and Sussex
A stray puppy with a heartbreaking start to life is now cracking down on crime for Surrey and Sussex police. Meet Badger, the former rescue Cocker Spaniel who’s gone from abandoned and sickly to a top dog in the fight against crime.
From Near Death to Police Recruit
Last summer, four six-week-old Cocker Spaniel pups were found abandoned in a Redhill garden. Rescued by the RSPCA, the puppies were in dreadful shape — near bald from severe mange, battling chronic infections, and horribly malnourished.
- Named Dustin, El, Lucas, and Mike after Stranger Things characters, they all got new homes.
- But Dustin struggled to settle and was returned to the RSPCA’s Millbrook Animal Centre in Cobham.
Jo Douglas, who helped care for Dustin, revealed: “He was always on the go and needed constant stimulation. We kept him busy hiding tennis balls and playing scent games. He loved it and was brilliant at following his nose, so we reached out to the police about him.”
Badger’s New Life as a Crime-Fighting Canine
The police snatched up Dustin, renaming him Badger, and paired him with PC Steph Barrett. Steph said:
“I was saddened to hear how Badger had been dumped on the side of the road, but thanks to the RSPCA, he’s been given a second chance. He was a bit high-spirited, but with love and training, he’s become a real success story. He’s mischievous sometimes, but that’s part of the fun!”
Now 20 months old, Badger has been trained for six months to sniff out drugs, cash, and weapons. PC Barrett added:
“He squeals with excitement when the radio goes off. I don’t even have to ask him to jump in the van. He’s a joy to work with and impossible not to love.”
Badger’s Impressive Arrest Record
The clever canine has already racked up some big finds, including a stash of cash, drugs, and a mobile phone hidden in a churchyard in Seaford.
Three men, including a 30-year-old with no fixed address and two local lads aged 20 and 21, were arrested and released while investigations continue.
From abandoned pup to police star, Badger proves every dog can have its day.
Originally published by UKNIP.
