A police dog who spent seven years catching bad guys (and gals) had to hang up his K-9 badge after injuring his leg during a search.
PD Akie first joined Nottinghamshire Police when he was just a youngster at seven weeks old before taking his general police dog training early the next year.
Akie and his handler, PC Mark Haywood, were a well-loved famous duo in the industry from the start, with the copper puppy walking Akie as well as attending his courses with him.
The brave dog did his job well and made the whole team proud, receiving several awards for his work, one of these being a Crown Court Commendation from the judge, Team Dogs reports.
READ MORE: Puppy survives plunging 300ft down a waterfall on his first hill walk
PC Haywood said: "During his career as a police dog, Akie grew into a very confident and capable dog.
“Everyone knew he was there on the radio as he constantly barked whilst in the police car, eager to get out and chase people.
"His forte in life was detaining all kinds of criminals in Nottinghamshire and some even thought they could outrun him but no one ever did."
Akie assisted with a number of successful jobs and operations, with one incident during his early days ranking high on his achievements.
He searched the Lenton Triangle in Nottingham where he found a couple of males who failed to stop for police.
But Akie caught them in a chase and run. It resulted in a firearm being found in the car, with Akie sniffing the offenders out to a garden where he detained them so they could be arrested.
PC Haywood added: "Akie was never the greatest dog at tracking but once he became familiar with the smell of a criminal he excelled.
"During a particular firearms job, he tracked a man who had threatened his partner with a loaded crossbow and then went out onto the streets of Mansfield. Akie was in his harness and tracked the man in Ravensdale and onto a park at night where he located the man still holding the crossbow in the distance.
"He gave chase and detained the man who dropped the loaded crossbow, making it safe for the firearms officers to go forward to detain him."
The clever cop dog tracked offenders for over a mile after a vehicle sped off when police tried to stop it, eventually finding the louts who were sentenced in court.
Seven years later, it became clear Akie's commitment and service over the years was beginning to take a toll on his body.
While out searching for a missing person, he injured the carpal joint in his leg by chipping his bone and snapping his ligaments.
Handler PC Haywood was forced to carry the 40kg dog back to the police car.
By the summer of 2020, Akie was ready for his retirement and some much-needed pampered time at home with Mark.
Sergeant Gavin Berry of Nottinghamshire Police's Dog Section said: "PC Haywood and PD Akie have been a phenomenal team and have rightly been recognised for their achievements along the way.
"This duo will have been a welcome sight for many colleagues over the years. It’s always sad to see our dogs grow old but a dog and handler team will experience a unique bond.
"To place your trust and life in a police dog is an absolute privilege. Akie can now enjoy a well-earned retirement and pass on his wisdom to PC Haywood’s new dog PD Morse.
"Well done PD Akie and thank you for your service.
“It's great to hear that he will get to spend his retirement at home with PC Haywood who he has been with since beginning his career with us. Happy retirement Akie!”
