Police dog restores young victim's love of animals

A young boy who suffered a serious injury when he was bitten by a dog in Brandon has overcome his fears thanks to Suffolk Police.

The boy, aged under 13, was attacked by a Russian Terrier in August last year when it escaped from its home.

He was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for surgery on a severe leg injury and was released from hospital two days after the incident.

The dog’s owner, Dermot Bradley-Beacham, 61, of Thetford Road, Brandon, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £2,400 in compensation after pleading guilty to being the owner in charge of a dangerously out of control dog causing injury.

The boy told officers investigating the incident he had always wanted to be a dog handler with the police when he was older but was now fearful of going near pets other than his own.

PC Lauren Miller, who attended the scene of the incident last summer, brought along her new police dog Marlow to meet the victim’s family last week and, along with investigating officer Pc Stephen Yates, began to build up the child’s trust.

Marlow, who is training to be an explosives dog, formed an immediate bond with the child and his family, who said: “It has brought out confidence we haven’t seen in a very long time; it has been lovely to see that little sparkle back.”

Pc Yates said: “This brave young lad is now keen once again to pursue his career choice when he has grown up, which is great, and Lauren and I wish him all the best. As our pictures show, Marlow enjoys being the centre of attention and receiving plenty of cuddles.”