Retired police dog Stella has won The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award competition at Crufts 2023.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Stella and handler PC Claire Todd have been serving together at Gloucestershire police for eight and a half years in drugs, cash and firearms recovery.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are an uncommon breed for police work. When Stella started with Gloucestershire police in 2014 she was the first Staffy to be taken into the UK force. The more common breed for sniffer work is the English Springer Spaniel.
Service dogs are taken in by their handlers as puppies and begin basic training from a young age. Stella’s owner and handler PC Claire Todd got her from a RSPCA rescue shelter and have shared an impressive nine year career together. Since 2014, Stella and Claire have found weapons and thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash, helping keep their local community safe.
Outside of Stella’s work with the police bringing criminals to justice and keeping drugs and guns off the streets, she has also helped people overcome their fear of dogs during school and community talks.
At the awards Crufts award ceremony, Claire said:
“It’s brilliant the work police dogs do, they don’t realise how important their job is but to us it is invaluable. The police dogs are incredible and do such an incredible job!”
Claire and Stella were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for a dog charity of their choice.
You can watch the Crufts 2023 Hero Dog Final here:
At the award show, Stella is wearing the UV Neon Green IDC® Powerharness.
Hero dog nominations for 2024
The Kennel Club is now calling for the public to nominate their unsung canine heroes who deserve to be recognised for what they do for The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award 2024.
Nominations for four-legged heroes can be made within the following categories at crufts.org.uk/herodogaward:
- Extraordinary life of a working dog – For those who have shown extraordinary qualities working in the army, police force, RAF, airport, search and rescue etc.
- Hero support dog – Celebrating all support and assistance dogs, from medical detection dogs or hearing dogs, to therapy dogs or pets who provide emotional support
- Best friends – Celebrating a canine companion who has seen its owner through the hardest times, as well as the happiest.
- Child’s champion – Recognising a dog that has supported and had a positive impact on a child's life (16 years and under).
- Rescue dog hero – For a rescue dog who has overcome adversity and gone on to irrevocably improve the life of their owner/s.
Header image credit: Ellie Smeaton
