Happy retirement, PD Harley! Police dog hangs up his collar after eight years 'on the frontline catching criminals'

A police dog that has hunted criminals and located missing people for the past eight years – and was even run over on one assignment – has just begun his retirement.Over the course of nearly a decade, Police Dog Harley of Cleveland Police has hunted heartless thugs and callous crooks, often 'putting himself between [his handler] and danger, protecting not only [his handler] but members of the public too'. On one particular deployment, Harley was struck by a car when chasing a suspect, leaving his horrified handler believing he had died, but the dog 'simply shook himself off and carried on with the chase'. The Belgian Malinois, who was described as a secret 'softie', has been credited for also being able to find missing people even in bad weather and after extended periods of time, conditions which would typically make it difficult to track a scent. The fearless dog will now put his 'paws up' following a career of crime and danger, to enjoy a 'wonderful home...with plenty of land to run free'.'You've done your job, you've kept people safe, and now it's your turn to put your paws up and enjoy being just Harley,' one handler sweetly said. Harley was first stationed with PC Liam Sewell, where they attended hundreds of incidents together 'often dealing with some of the most serious and challenging offenders', before working with PC India Landers.The hound was also trained as a Firearms Support Dog, attending hundreds of high-risk deployments and supporting armed officers. Police Dog Harley has hunted criminals and located missing people for the past eight years but will now begin his retirement The Belgian Malinois, who was described as a secret 'softie', has been credited for also being able to find missing people even in bad weather and after extended periods of time Over the course of nearly a decade, Police Dog Harley of Cleveland Police has hunted heartless thugs and callous crooks, often 'putting himself between [his handler] and danger'When he wasn't hunting down rogue criminals, Harley could be regularly seen at Hartlepool United and Middlesbrough FC fixtures.The police dog made regular visits to local schools to educate children on his role and was often the star of Siren Fest in Ingleby Barwick, an emergency awareness and fundraising event in Teesside. The Belgian Malinois joined the force shortly after his first birthday and then spent a further six months in the Dog Training Department to perfect his skills in order to become a dauntless police dog. Reflecting on their time together, PC Liam Sewell said: 'Harley is an amazing dog. I always felt safe when he was with me, and he never let me down. He never gave up and he never backed down.'One incident that will always stay with me was when Harley was deployed after a suspect and was unfortunately struck by a car. I feared the worst, but Harley simply shook himself off and carried on with the chase. That sums him up perfectly. He has more than earned his retirement, and I'm delighted that he has a wonderful home waiting for him, with plenty of land to run free and enjoy life as he deserves.'He retires with the gratitude, admiration, respect and friendship of everyone at Cleveland Police Dog Section. His contribution to policing and public safety has been immense, and his legacy will remain for many years to come.'Thank you, Harley, for your loyalty, courage and unwavering service. Enjoy your retirement—you've earned every moment of it.'PC India Landers said: 'After just over a year and a half together, the time has come for my incredible partner against crime, Harley, to hang up his collar and enjoy his very well–earned retirement. 'During our time together, Harley has been everything I could have asked for in a police dog. He has worked tirelessly, always putting himself between me and danger, protecting not only me but members of the public too. I've always known that whatever we faced, Harley would be right there beside me.'Behind the police dog is also a real softie, who after a long shift wants nothing more than a cheeky cuddle. Those quiet moments at the end of a shift are something I'll treasure just as much as everything we achieved out on the streets.'It has been an absolute privilege to be your handler, Harley. I couldn't be prouder of the police dog you've been, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for always having my back. 'You've done your job, you've kept people safe, and now it's your turn to put your paws up and enjoy being just Harley. Thank you, Harls.'