Finn`s Law Leaflet 2018

The original law, the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act, known as Finn`s Law, came into force in April 2019 after MP Sir Oliver Heald QC introduced the Animal Services Bill (Finn`s Law) to Parliament in 2017. It wasn`t until he fell back on his elbows that I saw the knife coming out of Finn`s chest. But miraculously, a few days later, he was allowed to go home with Dave, who slept next to the faithful dog on a makeshift bed for three weeks to make sure he was okay. When Finn noticed that his master had received a cut in his hand during the attack, he did everything he could again and began to lick the wound. At this point, the suspect jumped on Dave with his knife and the sharp-witted Finn shot the attacker to deflect the shot. Instead, Dave only grabbed him by the hand before hitting Finn on the edge. Finn, whose actions protected Dave`s life that night, nearly died of his injuries. However, he miraculously recovered and was back on active duty only 11 weeks later. He retired in March 2017. The story inspired animal lovers to launch a campaign for harsher penalties for those who attack service animals and use Finn as a figurehead. Dave joined Finn and within a few moments, the suspect threw himself at her. He brutally stabbed Finn in the head and chest while Dave was wounded in the hand. However, Finn did not let the suspect go and soon after, other officers arrived and he was arrested.

Against all odds, the then eight-year-old Finn survived the stabbing attack and was hailed as Britain`s bravest police dog for his exploits on that fateful night in October 2016. The perpetrator received a community order for 12 months and 150 hours of unpaid work. When other officers walked to the front door, the suspect ran backwards, where Dave and Finn saw him running down an alley. «I froze when the dog twitched. Time has stopped. Increased penalties for those who injure service animals received royal approval from Her Majesty The Queen following a campaign led by PC Dave Wardell of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Canine Unit. Source: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) «I wouldn`t say I ignored my three daughters and my wife at first, but I spent a lot of time with him to gain his trust. The mordeur was charged with a breach of public order, but was never charged in connection with his attack on the police dog in Hyde, Greater Manchester. «On October 5, 2016, my police dog Finn and I were chasing a robbery suspect when he turned around and attacked us. Finn was severely stabbed in the chest and head while protecting me. I was stabbed in the hand. And when the support arrived and Finn was seriously injured and rushed for treatment, the dog was still thinking only of Dave.

According to the group that led the campaign for the law, more than 100 other service animals have been injured since 2012. This includes injuries such as being beaten with an iron bar, kicked or hit by a car. The knife man, who cannot be named because he was only 16 at the time, was convicted last year of assaulting Dave and damaging Finn criminally. When the teenager removed the blade from the dog`s body and threw it towards PC Dave Wardell, Finn pulled the bat on his leg and deflected the punch. Dave says, «Suddenly, he jumped and ran to a fence to jump over it. Finn grabbed him by the leg and pulled him to the ground. The three were jailed for inflicting criminal damage on Logan and for physically injuring PC Sweeney in Humberston, Lincs. Dave says, «I kept shouting that I would send the dog if he didn`t stop in his corridors. But he ignored me. Congratulations to all those who have worked to make the Finn Act a reality and to Sir Oliver Heyald, who has been committed to it from the beginning. «He loves to snuggle up in front of the fire and take very long walks, and usually get excited about my three daughters. The Animal Welfare (Condemnation) Bill in England and Wales, known as Finn`s Law, Part 2, means that the sentence for people who injure service animals will be increased from six months to five years in prison.