Police force's first 'digi dog' retires

West Midlands Police's original "digi dog", trained to sniff out technical devices to catch criminals, is to put his paws up and retire.

Eight-year-old PD Chip has been responsible for hundreds of finds over the years, including sim cards, trackers and mobile phones, the force said.

The Chocolate Sprocker - a cross between a springer spaniel and a cocker spaniel -first qualified as a digital evidence detection dog in 2018 and has since helped officers locate "vital evidence" and secure convictions.

PC Sarah Hawkins, Chip's handler, said he had left some "big paw prints to fill".

"He really is a special dog and has the best scent skills," she added.

"I'm sure he will put his skills to good use during his retirement to sniff out all his favourite toys and treats."

During his time at the force, PD Chip found a phone hidden in an attic when deployed to an address linked to an attempted murder, helping to secure an 18-year conviction for the offender.

In another search, he found a phone hidden in an oven and a rape suspect's phone hidden under a chest of drawers.

The dog once also sniffed out a tracker in the car of a woman who believed her ex-partner was tracking her.

The force's newly qualified digi dog, Q, is set to take over from Chip.

The 17-month-old Springer Spaniel has already completed her first find and hunted out a mobile phone that was hidden inside a chest of drawers.

"She's learnt from the best," a spokesperson added.

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