Retired police officer Mike Davey with police dog Bacca.

Bacca protected handler despite serious knife injuries 

A heroic police dog has been awarded the PDSA Gold Medal after protecting his handler from an armed assailant, despite being injured himself.

Police dog Bacca, who is now retired, sustained multiple injuries from his attacker, who was wielding a 10-inch knife.

In the early hours of 6 June 2018, West Mercia Police received reports of a man smashing shop windows and behaving in a violent, unpredictable manner. PC Mike Davey and Bacca arrived on the scene minutes later with a first response unit.

Bacca was released to disarm the perpetrator, who appeared extremely distressed and had began harming himself with the knife. Several members of the public were nearby, despite the early hour of the morning.

When Bacca was released the assailant immediately began slashing at him with the knife. Officers used Parva spray to incapacitate the man but to no avail. A violent struggle ensued, in which both Bacca and PC Davey received knife injuries. Despite his own injuries, Bacca pursued the man down a nearby alleyway and wrestled him to the ground twice, sustaining further injuries in the process.

The courageous dog detained the assailant until PC Davey could disarm and handcuff him. Bacca required emergency veterinary treatment following the incident, for injuries to his head and neck. PC Davey also needed medical help for a deep wound on his hand.

Commenting on Bacca’s medal, PC Davey, who is also now retired, said: “Seeing Bacca recognised with such a prestigious award is truly fantastic. A year on from the incident and I am still in awe of his actions that night. He was attacked, repeatedly, and seriously injured, yet he continued to do his job. To me it highlights what a truly remarkable Police Dog he was throughout his career.
 
“He was there when I needed him – as he was for the eight years we worked together, and still is now in retirement – and I have no doubt that he saved my life that night.”

PDSA director of veterinary services, Richard Hooker, added: “Bacca’s unstinting devotion to duty and determination to protect his handler, despite sustaining serious injuries, makes him a worthy recipient of the PDSA Gold Medal.

“The PDSA Animal Awards programme seeks to raise the status of animals in society and honour the incredible contribution they make to our lives. Bacca’s heroics are an extraordinary example of this and his bravery deserves the highest possible recognition.”

This year the government introduced the Animal Welfare (Services) Act, widely known as Finn’s Law, which offers service dogs like Bacca greater protection from being deliberately attacked in the line of duty.

Image © PDSA