Hero police dog heads back to the beat after suffering canine calamity

A SUPER sniffer dog who went under the knife after being injured while out for walkies will soon be back on the beat after springing back to fitness.

Springer spaniel Winston suffered a fracture just above the elbow while exercising in a field with his handler PC Lee Schofield.

The eight-year-old canine officer, who works for South Yorkshire Police, was referred to Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield.

Orthopaedic surgeon Nick Blackburn, who took charge of his treatment, said: “Unfortunately, elbow fractures are extremely common in the English springer spaniel breed and a CT scan at Paragon confirmed that Winston had suffered a fracture to his left humeral bone.

“These fractures are considered to be at the most difficult end of the spectrum due to the shape of the fracture and the fact that it involves the elbow joint.

“The operation was challenging and lasted approximately two-and-a-half hours as we carried out a surgical fracture repair with screws and plates.

The dramatic X-ray images illustrating the plates and screws needed to repair Police Dog Winston’s fracture to his left foreleg.

“Everything went well and Winston has responded positively to the treatment so should be back at work soon.”

PC Schofield added: “We were very lucky that Winston’s treatment was in the hands of orthopaedic surgeon Nick and the Paragon team.

“He’s doing well and looking forward to getting back to full strength and out on the streets again.”

PD Winston was named South Yorkshire's top animal cop last year after a public vote for his service as a drug and firearms detection dog.