Off-duty Police dog sniffs out handler's lost mobile after walkies in Northamptonshire countryside

PD Bryn's shows his nose-power by tracking down phone in middle of a field
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An off-duty police dog saved his handler's partner a few quid by sniffing out a lost mobile phone during a countryside walk.

PD Bryn spent 45 minutes enjoying the spring weather with his "chauffeur" and family before PC Lucy Sculthorpe discovered her partner's mobile was missing — presumably dropped along the way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bryn came to the rescue though, showing his impressive nose power with a 25-minute search finally tracking down the phone in the middle of a field.

PD Bryn enjoying his off-duty walkiesPD Bryn enjoying his off-duty walkies
PD Bryn enjoying his off-duty walkies

The German Shepherd joined Northamptonshire Police full-time in November last year and carries the collar number 163 in memory of his namesake, PD Bryn, who died in the line of duty after being shot in 1998.

Following the formal introduction of Finn’s Law in June 2019, Northamptonshire Police vowed to issue collar numbers and tags to all serving police dogs, which would each be unique and retire with the dog.

Those collar numbers are usually assigned based on the seniority of the dog. But, as a commemoration to former PD Bryn and his handler, Ian Churms, current PD Bryn was assigned 163 — the same number PC Churms carried during his time with the Force.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 1998, PC Ian Churms and PD Bryn were called to an address in Irthlingborough following an emergency call to police.

The former PC Bryn who was shot and killed while on duty in 1998 with his handler Ian ChurmsThe former PC Bryn who was shot and killed while on duty in 1998 with his handler Ian Churms
The former PC Bryn who was shot and killed while on duty in 1998 with his handler Ian Churms

Ian attempted to negotiate with the offender, who was armed with a hunting rifle, but was shot in the leg. Shortly after, PD Bryn was fatally shot.

A Facebook group of retired and current police officers clubbed together in 2018 to pay for a new police puppy in memory of the former PD Bryn.

Finn's Law, which prevents those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence, is named after a police dog who was stabbed whilst pursuing a suspect with his handler, Hertfordshire PC David Wardell, in Stevenage in 2016.

Finn sustained serious stab wounds to the chest and head, but only criminal damage charges could be brought against his 16-year-old attacker.