Watch: West Midlands Police dog slashed with machete while chasing offender in new documentary on hero PDs

They are undoubtedly long arm of the paw - helping police forces across the UK keep order on our streets and bring crooks to justice.

Now a new documentary by Shots! TV has shone a light on some of the most heroic duties undertaken by police dogs.

The incredible 12 minute programme includes West Midlands Police hero PD Stark who helped to detail a suspect despite suffering horrific injuries after being slashed 20 times with a machete in Handsworth, Birmingham.

The incident saw PD Stark, a German Shepherd cross who was three years old at the time, chase an offender through allotments following reports of suspicious activity at 4am on November 14 in 2020.

PC Hopley is heard saying “find them Stark” then yells: “Police, stay where you are!” but the intruder flees and Stark sets off in pursuit. PC Hopley shouts: “Stop hitting the dog” as the violent thug beats Stark with a machete - which the officer initially thought was a stick. Despite being hit more than 20 times, Stark detains his attacker who Hopley covers in incapacitant spray.  

The officer says on his radio: “He had a machete and was attacking me dog with it. The dog’s injured, the dog found him and he ran off. The dog gave chase and he attacked the dog with a machete. Over.” 

Gory images of cuts to Stark’s face show how the dog was lucky not to lose his eyes. PC Hopley said: “Stark was hit over 20 times but he didn’t yelp, he didn’t leave him or run back to me for protection. He was such a young, inexperienced dog but he stayed on task and, despite being viciously attacked, he never backed down. Stark suffered nasty cuts to his face, with one blow narrowly missing an eye, but thankfully he’s made a full recovery and his policing career is flourishing.” 

On his first night shift back at work, Stark located a wanted person who had tried to hide from officers on a flat roof. Stark was joined by his handler PC Hopley at the Thin Blue Paw Awards ceremony where he was recognised for his bravery in 2021.

He is just one of many heroic PDs across the UK keeping ‘paw and order’ in our communties who are feature in a new mini documenary from Shots! TV. You can watch the documentary here: Police Dogs | UK Crime Caught on Camera Special