The four day event saw PC Mick Leigh and his Malinois breed dog Blitz competing against teams from 18 other forces in the UK. PC Leigh and Blitz, who had previously won the South West and Wales Police Dog Trials to go forward for the national competition, came in a very respectable eighth place. PC Harry Cook, who is responsible for training in the force's dog section, said:  We are very proud of Mick and Blitz for the performance they gave at the national trials.
They are a credit to themselves and to the Constabulary.  Tough assessment The competitors in the National Dog Trials were assessed on agility and obedience by nationally qualified judges. The tests reflected the work that the dogs naturally perform while on duty, including body and property searches and chasing suspects. Thirty teams of police dogs and handlers from 19 forces took part, all of whom had clinched first or second place in the various regional finals held across the country. PC Leigh said: Blitz is a very young dog who has only been operational since last August. Considering his age he has had a lot of success, not only in competitions but also in normal police work. For instance, on his first operational job he successfully tracked an offender.
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A Gloucestershire police dog handler and his canine companion have taken a top 10 position in the National Police Dog Trials, hosted by the Metropolitan Police.
