Police kennels cleared over dog cruelty claim

Checks at Harperley Hall, Durham Police's dog training school near Crook, County Durham, found no evidence to support allegations relating to the treatment of a sniffer dog left at the kennels while his handler went on holiday.

An RSPCA inspector visited the centre on Monday, hours after The Northern Echo revealed that the inquiry was under way.

A statement issued yesterday said: "The RSPCA has conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into allegations of animal cruelty at Harperley Hall. We found no evidence to substantiate the allegations made."

The claims focused on the condition of a four-year-old short-haired pointer called Bruno, said to be suffering from severe weight loss and hepatitis after a nine-day stay at Harperley, which trains dogs and handlers from all over the country.

Bruno's former handler, PC Gary Quigley, is understood to be at the centre of a disciplinary inquiry for refusing to return him to the force after failing an annual licensing test.

The dog is now working successfully with the West Midlands prison service, searching prison visitors for drugs.

Paul Hedges, a former police dog handler, who is training supervisor at Harperley, said: "The dog sailed through its assessment. It is a good dog.

"My staff were upset at the allegation that has been made and are very pleased that we have been exonerated."

PC David Davies said: "None of the handlers would leave our dogs here if we weren't confident that they would be well looked after."

Instructor PC Steve Clark said: "My dogs have always come here and I have never had any cause for concern."

A Durham Police spokes-man said: "Staff at Harperley Hall were both indignant and upset at the suggestion that any dog could have been treated in the way that had been alleged. Senior officers too were convinced there had been no maltreatment or neglect.

"While the findings of the RSPCA's latest investigation are welcome, they came as no surprise."