Homeless dog Duke lands new job as a sniffer dog with Lancashire's prison service

Duke, a Springer Spaniel, had been happily living in foster care for the past month after he was found wandering the streets of Lancashire in May.

But the former stray, who is believed to be around 5-years-old, has now landed a dream job sniffing out crime in the county's prisons.

Springer Spaniels are considered one of the best sniffer dogs for the detection of explosives, guns and illegal drugs, and Duke is seen as the right dog for the job.

After being assessed last week, Duke's good nose and his ability to focus on tasks are deemed a perfect match for the job at hand.

Yesterday (July 13), an officer with HM Prison Service came to recruit Duke ahead of his new career as a sniffer dog.

He is now expected to embark on an intensive training period of up to 14 weeks, where he will learn all the tricks of the prison trade.

Emma Roberts, from Lytham, has fostered Duke for the past month.

She said: "He went back to rescue last week awaiting his next chapter and I'm absolutely blown away and so happy that he's been given this fabulous opportunity.

"We think it is absolutely perfect for him and we hope he'll love his new role and have a fabulous career with the prison service.,

"From homeless hound to sniffer dog, we wish him all the luck in the world for the future. Well done Duke!"

Dogs that work with handlers, whether as police dogs or sniffer dogs outside the forces, normally work until they are eight or nine years old.

When their working life is finished, most retired dogs continue to live with their handlers as family pets.

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