European search for police dogs

An East Midlands police force has been forced to look abroad to recruit police dogs because of a shortage.

Derbyshire Police have brought in dogs from Germany because of a national shortage of the animals.

The dogs have been trained in Germany and have to spend six months waiting for a passport before they can become operational in England.

The animals, which perform a wide variety of front line duties, are seen by officers as an asset to policing.

Dog trainer Pc Adie Deegan said: "Just getting hold of the right type of dog is a real problem.

"We looked at in excess of 100 dogs and out of that we sourced probably two that would make the grade and one of those failed."