From Charity Pup to Crime Fighter

Meet Dexter, the 18-month-old Labrador who went from a rescue at Dogs Trust to a licensed police search dog. After being handed over to Dogs Trust in January, his strong working instincts quickly shone through. Now, he’s on the beat with Wiltshire Police, partnering with handler PC Vicki Pegrum to sniff out illicit substances.

Living the Dream – Training in Action

This Wednesday, Dexter was put through his paces in an intense training exercise at an abandoned NHS building off Pans Lane, Devizes. With officers watching, Dexter searched every nook and cranny — inside and out — for drugs planted by police dog trainer Cindy Hargreave. The bond between Dexter and PC Pegrum was clear, full of face licks and cuddles showing their tight teamwork.

Trainer Praises ‘Larger Than Life’ Dexter

“Dexter throws himself into everything with total commitment and is always focused,” said Cindy Hargreave. “He’s resilient, quick to bounce back, and thrives on searching. I’m thrilled with how well he’s done on his training – he definitely needed a job to match his drive.”

Cindy revealed she cared for Dexter in his early months, preparing him for his police role by exposing him to various environments and teaching key skills like scent indication and vehicle searches.

Dogs Trust and Wiltshire Police: A Winning Partnership

Since joining the Animal Welfare Visitors Scheme in early 2024, Wiltshire Police have trained three dogs from Dogs Trust rescues. The national scheme, started in 2002, ensures top welfare standards for police dogs in training and transport.

Louise Crawford, Animal Welfare Scheme Coordinator at Dogs Trust, said: “Dexter is the third dog adopted by Wiltshire Police since joining the scheme. His strong work drive made him perfect for a working home. Rescue dogs like Dexter can do amazing things, and we wish him a long, happy career.”

Find out more about Dogs Trust’s work with service dogs here.