South Yorkshire Police have been welcoming new dogs to their fleet in the SYP Dog Support Unit and one new Cocker Spaniel had a slightly controversial name on arrival.
Yes, Vladimir Putin the Cocker Spaniel arrived at the Dog Training School for assessment last week.
That’s right. Vladimir Putin.
A Police Dog named Putin? © South Yorkshire Police
Puppy Vladimir was trying out to be a new explosives search dog on the force.
Why this young pup was named after the current President of Russia, we don’t know. But we do know that the name isn’t going to stick.
Puppy Vladimir, now in the hands of his new handler, Les, has been rechristened Elvis.
South Yorkshire Police said on their Operational Support Facebook page: “Only at Dog Training School can we go from the Premier of Russia to the King of rock and roll in one day.”
They spelled out the whole situation with a few of Elvis’s greatest hits: “What’s wrong with Vladimir Putin? He ain’t nothing but a Hound Dog and he ain’t no friend of mine, protested Les. Nevertheless, a dog needs a name so, A Little Less Conversation, It’s Now or Never, pick a new name, Don’t be cruel said Les, I’m All Shook Up, he’s my Teddy Bear.”
Elvis isn’t the only new recruit at the Dog Training School, there are many new puppies raring to go.
Disclaimer: This is the incredibly cute part of the article.
There’s Dottie, an 8-week-old Sprocker Spaniel who is being fostered until she can start training.
8-week-old Dottie © South Yorkshire Police
Also being fostered is Winnie, an absolutely adorable 9-week-old Cocker Spaniel!
Winnie, the 9-week-old Cocker Spaniel © South Yorkshire Police
She’s amazing! © South Yorkshire Police
And there are 5 Police Dogs who are trained and ready to go on active service with their new partners. PD Blue who is partnered with PC Ash Green, PD Marshall, partnered with PC Dan Hurst, PD Louis who is PC Dan Fox’s new best friend, PD Diesel joins PC Adam Fay and PD Bart who is partnered with PC Josh Ingam.