Troy the police dog was praised today after successfully tracking a suspect – for TWO MILES.
The German shepherd was called into action after a top-of-the-range Mercedes was stolen from a house in Somerset.
A mobile police patrol spotted it and started a pursuit but lost sight of the car which was found abandoned soon afterwards.
It was dumped in Brockley Combe, a wooded beauty spot near Bristol Airport, but there was no sign of the thieves.
They had fled an estimated 20 minutes earlier when Troy arrived with handler Pc Jim Hampson to see if he could pick up a scent.
The keen-nosed canine detected a trail and managed to follow it through woods and across fields for two miles – right to the suspect.
They turned up as the wanted man was being quizzed by another police unit who had seen him acting oddly by the side of a main road.
A 28 year-old man was later charged with theft – and four year-old Troy got a public pat from Chief Constable Nick Gargan.
He tweeted: “More great police dog work overnight. This time, our canine colleague Troy tracked for over 2 miles before finding a suspected burglar.”
Pc Hampson, who has had Troy for three years, said: “I’m very proud of his drive and determination.
“Tracking is his best skill and he’ll go on and on.
“We went over a fence and through wood and over fields and it’s a real challenge keeping hold of him.”
