A police dog that showed signs of “work avoidance” has been retired at just two years old.
Lissy, a Lancashire Constabulary labrador, developed a fear of “slippery floors” that left the dog unable to search for criminals and evidence.
The dog joined the force in September last year and was expected to serve for at least seven years.
In November, Lissy helped round up a pair of suspected drug dealers in Burnley who were arrested on suspicion of possessing ketamine and cannabis.
But a spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary’s Dog Unit said: “PD Lissy has hung up her harness for the last time. Lissy had been showing signs of avoidance when working and wasn’t 100 per cent happy so she has been retired to a loving home. Be happy Lissy.”
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The force added: “Lissy had developed an issue with slippery floors. She could not search effectively in areas with such surfaces because of signs of stress.”
Shaun Hesmondhalgh, a former RAF police dog handler, told The Telegraph: “It is not unusual for a licensed working dog, or a dog that’s in training, to develop ‘work avoidance’ and then be retired from duty.
“Nor is it unusual for any dog to have, or develop, a negative association with floor surfaces. It is a condition where the dog’s confidence is compromised because the dog can’t make sense of the surface type.
“This can be neurological or learnt. The dog can develop anxiety about the type of surface believing it to be an insecure or non-firm surface.
“Lancashire Constabulary has done exactly the right thing. Making her continue to work may have caused her unnecessary suffering and emotional turmoil.”
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Lissy will be replaced by Oakley, a springer spaniel, currently in training.
Police dogs usually serve until between the ages of seven and 10. When they are retired, they are often adopted by families and sometimes go to live at the homes of their police handlers.
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