West Mercia's longest serving police dog barks out for the final time
Chasing a moving car down the road and jumping through its window in a dramatic drugs raid sounds like a career highlight of the star of an action film.
But it is just one of police dog Jake's heroic moves - and now he is preparing to embark on his final adventure.
Jake, who is West Mercia Police's longest serving dog, is set to retire after 10 years of service next week.
During that time Jake, a 12-year-old springer spaniel, has helped to search for drugs, ammunition, firearms and bank notes alongside officers.
Since beginning his career in 2004, Jake has had 521 successful finds, including an assault rifle, three handguns, a shotgun, 13 funds of ammunition, £650,000 in cash and an estimated £4.5 million worth of drugs.
Jake was initially based in Rugby but later went on to cover all areas of Warwickshire and West Mercia - which includes Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. He has also worked in 10 other counties throughout the UK.
Constable Andy Crouch, Jake's handler, said: "I have a number of memorable moments while working with Jake over the years.
"I was searching a caravan when Jake began barking and jumping up towards a high kitchen cupboard. I lifted him up where he was able to pull a piece of wood trim away between the cabinet and ceiling.
"I then saw a pistol pointing towards me in the gap Jake had made.
"On another time, I was speaking to a senior officer at a large dance festival at the entrance gate to the site. Suddenly, Jake pulled on his lead so hard I lost grip. He then jumped through the open window of a moving car and indicated by barking and scratching on the steering wheel, while sitting on the startled driver's lap.
"Drugs were later found inside the steering wheel airbag compartment. Needless to say, the visiting officer was very impressed.
"For the past 18 months, Jake has been almost completely deaf. I have had to control him using only hand signals. Despite this, he has still performed exceptionally well by helping us to catch criminals and protect people from harm."
Jake's last shift as a police dog will be through the night on Wednesday. In his retirement, Jake will be living in a rural village in Leicestershire with Constable Crouch and his four other dogs, having a well-deserved rest.
