FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 11430

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 14^th March 2019. Please find below the response to your request:

1. In the last five years how many dogs/horses did the force have in service by year?

2. In the same period how many of each were in training?

3. In the same period how many were destroyed or sold?

4. In the same period how many dangerous dogs were destroyed?             

Reply:-

1 & 2. 

West Mercia Police do not keep records of how many dogs are in service / training each year as this number is very fluid due to planned / unplanned retirements of both handlers and their dogs for a variety of reasons.

As at 2^nd April 2019 West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police Alliance have a total of 55 licensed police dogs & 5 on an initial course to be licensed. 

17 are working with Warwickshire Police Handlers.

38 are working with West Mercia Police Handlers. The 5 currently on a course are all with West Mercia Police handlers.

REPLY: 3

2015 - 2016 - 1 x Police Dog re-handled to another force

                       1 x Police Dog euthanised

2016 - 2017 - 0

2017 - 2018 - 0

2018 to date - 2 x Police Dogs euthanised

REPLY: 4

Dangerous dogs euthanised - these include dogs that have been euthanised on request of owner or council:

2015- 2016 - Please note that accurate data was not kept for this period.

2016-2017 - 43

2017-2018 - 45

2018 to date - 40