Two heroic Northamptonshire Police dogs retire after years of catching criminals and protecting communities
Two crime-fighting Northamptonshire Police dogs are retiring after more than 13 years of combined service tracking dangerous offenders, protecting officers and helping find vulnerable people.
Police dogs Bryn and Ebby, both aged eight, are hanging up their harnesses this week, bringing an end to two remarkable careers with the force’s Dog Section.
Their handlers, PC Lucy Sculthorpe and PC Ash Price, have paid emotional tributes to their loyal companions.
Bryn joined the force as an eight-week-old puppy in August 2018, named after a police dog fatally shot while protecting his handler in 1998.
He became a fully licensed police dog in March 2020 and later qualified as a Firearms Support Dog.
Among his achievements was a Crown Court Judge’s Commendation after tracking a violent offender for 45 minutes through torrential rain and flooded countryside.
He also helped officers arrest six burglary suspects after following their trail for more than an hour.
Lucy said: “I knew that if a person was there to be found then Bryn would find them.
“He's been an amazing legacy to the original Bryn, and I hope everyone involved in his career feels as proud of that as I do.”
Bryn will retire to a new family, where countryside walks, treats and relaxing on the sofa await.
Meanwhile, Ebby, who joined Ash in 2020, earned a formidable reputation for bravery despite being small for a German Shepherd.
She twice won Dog Deployment of the Year and received several commendations.
One particularly significant deployment saw her track a driver who fled a fatal collision on the Flore bypass, eventually locating him and his seriously injured passenger.
Ebby also helped locate an armed man carrying a samurai sword and detained a prolific burglar.
Ash said: “Ebby developed into a fantastic tracking dog and quickly built a real desire to find people. Despite being small for a German Shepherd, she is brave and ferocious when needed.”
While fearless on duty, Ebby enjoys a quieter life at home with Ash's family, where she will remain during retirement.
Ash said: “I'm heartbroken that our time working together is coming to an end, but she has earned every second of her retirement.”
Both dogs leave behind a lasting legacy of courage, loyalty and dedication to protecting Northamptonshire's communities.