Send In The Dogs

“If you want to see a dog handler cross you hurt their dog and if you want to see a dog cross then you hurt his handler.”
Sergeant Peter Madden – Metropolitan Police Dog Handler

ITV1 is back on the front line of British policing with a brand new series of ‘Send In The Dogs’. With exclusive access to the handlers working with some of Britain’s thousands of police dogs, this eight-part series explores the everyday challenges they face – including explosives, armed criminals and violent crowds. The programme follows officers and their dogs on drug raids, car chases and night time hunts for criminals. Filming with the Metropolitan Police and the Greater Manchester Police dog units, ‘Send In The Dogs’ follows the UK’s top canine detectives. ‘Send In The Dogs - Series 2’ is brand new and exclusive to ITV1, Tuesdays from 5th January at 8pm.

Police dogs are increasingly being used in Britain’s war against crime. The dogs are considered officers in their own right, tackling dangerous and volatile situations and venturing into hazardous areas, where humans fear to tread. They are trained to sniff out everything from explosives and weapons, to drugs and cash.

The dogs assist the police in finding evidence, giving much needed support at football matches, sniffing out drugs, assisting on armed raids and helping to retrieve escaped prisoners. But despite the close relationships they form, handlers are realistic about their dogs.

“You know you are going into danger, people are carrying knives and firearms and even just grabbing whatever they can get their hands on. You have to remember she is a tool of the trade. If it comes to an officer or a dog in a dangerous situation, it has to be the dog.”
PC Mandy Chapman

There are more than 2000 police dogs working in the UK and ’Send In The Dogs’ features dogs and their handlers from London’s Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police. The programme illustrates how trust and a close relationship between the dogs and their handlers are incredibly important to all operations.

“The dog works it out, you have to trust the dog. Let the animal work it out.”
PC Mandy Chapman

The Metropolitan Police have the largest specialist canine unit in Britain of over 250 dogs with varying abilities. And they detain around 5000 drug dealers every year. The majority of these arrests are the result of surprise raids on homes and premises suspected of being used for dealing. As a dog’s nose can be up to 10 times more powerful then a human’s, the dogs form an essential part of any drugs investigation. As well as raids on premises, the programme also features a crackdown on the London Underground and the dog squad are at the forefront of the campaign. Commuters are detained and searched if the dogs smell any trace of drugs.

“We have two dogs and two dog handlers so we can keep the operation flowing because it is quite intense for the dogs. If you imagine a train station is a dry warm place, constantly sniffing and they can get nasal fatigue.”
PC John Lane

London’s dog squad works the entire capital, including the River Thames. The two hundred miles of waterways are used by more than 10,000 boats a day. A specialist marine police unit need dogs to search the vessels they stop or board.

At nightfall, different challenges arise for the UK’s police dogs. Many car criminals use the darkness to steal vehicles and to try to outrun the police. So when this happens, the Met send in the dogs to join the pursuits. When offenders run, they cannot help but leave behind an invisible trail. With every step, the ground below is disturbed. Even the slightest movement leaves a scent and a clear track that the dogs can follow. With the speed of the dogs and their ability to follow the scent, the thieves stand far less of a chance of getting away.

Last edited: Thursday, 10 December 2009