WILTSHIRE Police is backing calls for police dogs and horses to be given greater legal protection if they are assaulted in the line of duty.

The latest campaign was launched following the stabbing of a police dog in Stevenage on October 4, he was trying to apprehend a man responsible for robbing a taxi driver at gun point.

Finn, a German shepherd who has been with Hertfordshire Police since he was a puppy, suffered serious knife wounds to the chest and head in the attack.

He required an urgent four hour operation. His handler, PC David Wardell suffered knife injuries to his hand and had to be treated in hospital.

News of the attack brought an outpouring of support for Finn on social media, prompting one animal lover to launch a petition calling for assaults on police dogs, and also police horses, to be dealt with in the same way as those on police officers.

The campaign, which has become known as Finn’s Law, has now attracted over 66,000 signatures.

If it reaches 100,000 then MPs must consider whether to debate the issue in parliament.

Wiltshire Police sent their best wishes to police dog Finn as he battled to survive his injuries and now one of the team responsible for transforming ordinary dogs into canine crime fighters has given his backing to the campaign.

Dog trainer Ian Partington said: “I am supportive of anything that would promote the safety of members of our police family, of which our police dogs play a big part, however, I am aware that this decision would lie with the government.

“We were extremely saddened to hear the news regarding PD Finn and his handler – it is a reminder of the dangers our officers and police dogs face on a daily basis and we wish brave PD Finn a speedy recovery.”

Thankfully, Finn made it through his operation and is now recovering at home with his handler.

He has been spoiled with cards and presented that have flooded in from police forces and the public across the country.

In addition to calls to strengthen the law relating to assaults on police dogs, some officers have also been exploring ways to offer them greater physical protection.

It is estimated that all general purpose police dogs in the South West could be kitted out with stab proof vests for under £10,000.

The idea was trialled in South Yorkshire back in 2007 and in the last couple of months, police in New Zealand hit the headlines for deciding to offer the protection to all their dogs.

To sign the petition, visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/168678

As attention has been focusing on the fate of police dog Finn over the past couple of weeks, his canine friends in Wiltshire have been hard at work.

On October 7, police dog Charley assisted officers in locating cannabis at an address in Powell Place, Swindon.

Charley sniffed her way to the secret stash, leading to the arrest of three men, two aged 23 and one aged 25, on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs. They have since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

In Trowbridge, police dog Fozzy and his handler PC Simon Goodwin located a vulnerable woman who had been reported missing.

PD Fozzy picked up a scent and was able to track along the river bank where he located the woman in the water - she was brought to safety.

A spokesman said: "This was a great team effort and just one example of some of the amazing work our officers and four-legged friends are doing every day to keep the community safe."