'Fly high Ziva' - Northumbria Police tribute to heroic police dog after eight years of service

Loyal Northumbria Police dog Ziva died in the arms of her best friend and handler Pc Helen Kane.

The Dutch Herder joined Pc Kane’s family as an eight-week-old puppy back in 2012; but last week she was rushed to the vets.

It was then devastatingly revealed that Ziva had been battling an aggressive form of cancer while keeping the streets safe in her role as a K9.

On the advice of the vet, Pc Kane had to make the heart-breaking decision to let Ziva go so that she didn’t live out her days in pain.

In a tribute on Monday, the officer said: “When I joined the dog section eight years ago, I was given Ziva as a puppy, she was my first police dog and I could not have wished for a better dog.

“She has done nothing other than make me proud since the day I picked her up and has loved every minute of her service in the police.

“Not only was Ziva an amazing police dog who has caught numerous baddies and looked me, she has been my best friend and a big part of my family.

“She has barely left my side in our eight years together so I can’t begin to describe the devastation of losing her.

“The diagnosis came out of the blue and there was no time to prepare for losing her which has made her death even more difficult to deal with.

“She wasn’t long from a relaxed retirement by the fire but she loved every second of her work and at least I know she isn’t in pain anymore.

“I will miss her, every who knew her will miss her but nobody will forget what she did for this force and the people who call it home.”

During her career, Ziva caught hundreds of burglars, rescued dozens of missing people and comforted the elderly.

Her dedication to the job also saw her nominated for Northumbria Police’s ‘Dog of the Year 2019’ following her outstanding efforts in locating a vulnerable missing woman.

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