Drug dog suspended for duck death

The prison houses more than 600 serious offenders

A prison sniffer dog has been suspended from his post after allegedly killing a group of ducks at a Lancashire jail.

The three-year-old dog was reported to the governor of HMP Garth after the recent discovery of the dead birds.

Until the suspension, he was one of a number of dogs responsible for finding drugs at the category B prison in Ulnes Walton Lane in Leyland, Preston.

The Prison Service said he would now undergo tests to assess whether he could continue in the role.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that a drug detection dog at HMP Garth has been taken out of service pending an investigation into a complaint that the dog attacked a group of ducks.

"Drug detection dogs are regularly evaluated and any dog whose behaviour is of concern will be reviewed to assess its continuing suitability for the role."

Drug detection dogs are mainly used to sniff out drugs on people entering and leaving prisons.

HMP Garth is a category B training prison housing more than 600 serious offenders.

It has become the North West's centre for prisoners serving indeterminate sentences for public protection.