According to his owner, a memorial to a police dog that saved his handlerâs life will be erected in a park in his home county.
In 2016, while defending his handler, PC Dave Wardell, German shepherd Finn, commonly known as Police Dog (PD) Finn, was nearly killed when he confronted an armed suspect in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
Despite being stabbed, PC Wardell, who is now retired, insisted that he could have suffered more serious injuries if Finn hadnât stepped in.
Following his recovery and a brief period of employment, Finn passed away in 2023 at the age of 14. Following a fundraising effort, preparations are under underway for a permanent statue to honor the dog.
Before the incident almost tore them apart, the two had been inseparable for eight years.PC Wardell, who was then with the Hertfordshire Constabulary, and his German shepherd, Finn, were searching for a suspected armed robber who had threatened a cab driver with a gun in the early hours of October 5, 2016.Finn was critically hurt in the encounter that followed the chase, and PC Wardell was stabbed.Finn and PC Wardell both healed, and the attacker was imprisoned, but the incident affected them both.Since his own retirement, Mr. Wardell has advocated for greater recognition of all service animals in addition to a memorial to the dog that saved his life and all other service animals.In 2019, a new rule known as âFinnâs Lawâ went into effect, making it more difficult for people who hurt service animals to argue that they were defending themselves.Additionally, Mr. Wardellâs memorial campaign raised roughly ÂŁ40,000, so preparations are now underway to honor Finn and others like him.
Finn suffered severe injuries while defending his handler from a young person brandishing a knife.âYouâll know if youâve had a special bond with a dogâor any animal,â Mr. Wardell remarked.Regarding the new memorial, he remarked, âIf it werenât for him, I wouldnât be here today, talking to you.ââThis, along with Finnâs Law, is his legacy.âMr. Wardell claimed to have finally located the ideal sculptor to carry on Finnâs legacy, but he said it was ânot appropriateâ to reveal the artistâs identity or the precise location just yet.He remarked, âThis is very important and heartfelt, and it will endure well beyond my years.âPeople will have the chance to visit, pay their respects, and listen to Finnâs tale.
âIt will allow future generations to learn more about his legacy and other police dogs that are so important to this nation.â
