PD Stella sniffed out thousands of pounds of stolen money, drugs including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy as well as guns and ammunition while on duty with Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Britain’s first ever police Staffie sniffer dog is handing in her badge and heading for a well-deserved retirement. After eight years on the front line of the fight against crime, rescue dog Stella is now looking forward to spending her twilight years being pampered by police partner and owner PC Claire Todd.

She has certainly earned it, after sniffing out thousands of pounds of stolen money, drugs including heroin, cocaine and ecstasy as well as guns and ammunition while on duty with Gloucestershire Constabulary. Now after Stella completed her final patrol, Claire said the ten-year-old is looking forward to lazing on the couch and being ‘spoiled rotten’.

PD Stella has retired after serving eight years on the force

Claire first met Stella when a friend who had taken her in from an animal shelter spotted her remarkable search skills. Claire said: “It became pretty clear that Stella was something special as soon as I met her. She has an immense sense of smell. But also to be a police dog you need drive and determination to keep going and want to search.

“She’s found at least three shotguns including one in a field that had been used in a crime as well as thousands of pounds in cash. The Bank of England uses a special sort of ink on notes and her nose has been trained to sniff it out.

Sniffer dogs have been helping the police for decades

“I am so proud that she was the first full Staffie to become a police dog in the UK. There have been four more since, but she set the trend. She had a tough start in life, but she’s been worth her weight in gold. She’s such a loving, loyal and intelligent dog. She loves giving kisses and having cuddles.

“She’s an old lady now, is going a little grey, and deserves her retirement. I love her so much, to me she is family, and my baby.”

Stella is one of five dogs at home, and Claire says she proves that Staffies make excellent family pets. She added: “Staffordshire Bull Terriers have developed a very unfair reputation – yet Stella is a brilliant family pet dog and wonderful with children. You could not ask for a more affectionate dog.”

And Claire is planning to repay that affection during Stella’s retirement. She said: “She’s such a special dog, she’s not going anywhere. Her future is going to include lots of long walks, day trips and cuddles.”