CIRENCESTER’S Lady Bathurst has pledged her support to a campaign to give police dogs and horses the same status as police officers in the UK.

The High Sheriff of Gloucestershire has joined the Finns Law campaign, which has come about after a police dog in Hertfordshire was stabbed in the head and chest whilst pursuing a suspect.

German shepherd Finn was attacked on October 5 and had to undergo emergency surgery in order to save his life.

PD Finn is now recovering and his handler PC Wardell, who was also injured during the incident, has condemned the attack.

A teenager has been charged following the incident, but only with criminal damage because PD Finn, as with all police dogs and horses, is viewed as police property.

This has led to a public uproar and the nationwide parliamentary petition has been launched to give police animals more protection in the eyes of the law.

The petition, which gained 36,000 signatures in the first three days and now stands at over 75,000, has requested people who attack police animals to face similar charges to those who attack a police officer.

Countess Bathurst, who was appointed High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in March, hopes to see legislative change to support the campaign.

“It is not just about police dogs but also police horses,” she said. “Every day these highly trained and devoted animals are helping to keep us, the public, safe from criminal activity.

“They are constantly at their handlers sides and we owe them not only a huge debt of gratitude, but also our respect.

“I hope this positive campaign will succeed and that it may also make offenders think twice before attacking and injuring any working police animal.”

She said: "If the petition reaches over 100,000 signatures it will be considered for parliamentary debate and I hope we can encourage as many people as possible to get involved.

"Imagine how any of us would feel, and what we would expect of the law, if someone did this to one of our own animals.

“It is no different for police dogs, horses and their handlers. They deserve our support."

The petition can be found online at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/168678