AN APPEAL has been launched to find police watchdogs to help North Wales’ four-legged crimefighters to keep ‘paw and order’.

New recruits are needed for a volunteer dog welfare scheme that’s been set up to keep a check on how police handlers look after the canine cops.

The North Wales scheme was set up by the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, a former police inspector.

The welfare visitors make monthly unannounced visits to view dog training sessions or visit dog handlers and their canine companions out on patrol.

Their brief is to ensure police dogs are properly cared for and to ensure their working conditions are acceptable.

Mr Jones said: “The police dogs are often the unsung heroes of North Wales Police and they perform an absolutely vital role.

“It’s important North Wales Police is transparent and the general public has confidence that the dogs are properly cared for and trained well.

“North Wales Police and Cheshire dog sections work very closely together and share training.

“I know the dog visitor scheme is working well in Cheshire and I was encouraged to set up the scheme by Sgt Howard Watts, a North Wales dog handler, who pushed for its introduction.

“It is important we have independent checks and controls in place to ensure good animal welfare standards are robustly maintained.

“We must ensure our dogs are happy and well cared for.

“The Police Dog Welfare Scheme aims to ensure that the forces’ training procedures are ethical, humane, transparent and accountable.”

The visitors observe, comment and report on the conditions in which the working dogs are housed, trained and transported.

North Wales Police sergeant Howard Watts, who has served as a police officer for 27 years, 17 of which have been as a dog handler, said he had long wanted to see a dog visiting scheme introduced.

He said: “We need to be transparent and the public across North Wales and Cheshire need to have confidence we treat our dogs well and they are happy and well cared for.

“We currently have 15 operational dogs in North Wales. They are used for different tasks which is why we have different breeds.

“My dog, Otis, is a four-year-old yellow labrador which is trained to find drugs such as cannabis, heroin, amphetamines, and cocaine.

“Otis, who I have had since he was just eight weeks old, lives at home with me. It takes around eight weeks to train a search dog like Otis and around 12 weeks to train a general purpose dog.

“The dog visitor scheme is a great way to ensure the welfare of police dogs is taken seriously and I’m pleased we have dedicated volunteers who know what they are doing and what they are looking for.”

Eligible individuals who are interested in applying to become a dog welfare visitor in North Wales should contact Meinir Jones at the Commissioner’s office, either by ringing 01492 805486 or via email at: opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk