Have we found the goodest boy ever? Quite possibly.
This black Labrador, Reqs, is Britain’s longest serving fire dog with 11 years of service under his collar – and he’s about to start his well-deserved retirement.
Reqs started working at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service since he was just a year old – and he’s attended around 500 incidents.
Alongside his handler Watch Commander Nikki Harvey, he has provided crucial evidence in high-profile investigations, including for arson and murder, resulting in more than 250 years of imprisonment for convicted offenders.
Nikki said: ‘We are called to the scene of any serious fire that crews believe to be deliberate or suspicious, or where the cause is not immediately known, especially if there has been a fatality at the scene.
‘Reqs gets involved as soon as it is safe. I’ll go through the scene first to check that it has properly cooled down with no visible sign of smoke or embers and that there aren’t any hazards that could harm him.
‘He gets to work using his best tool – his nose – to locate any potential accelerants like petrol that might have been used to deliberately start a fire.
‘That’s when the human fire investigators like myself can take a closer look while Reqs enjoys a reward – his favourite tennis ball!’
Reqs is something of a local celebrity, often making appearances at fire station open days and visits to schools and clubs.
He’s brought comfort to families who lost everything in a fire.
Now Reqs will be putting his paws up, and will remain with Nikki as her pet dog.
But he’ll still be appearing at community events alongside his protégé, Loki the puppy.
Nikki added: ‘His interactions with children, especially those who have had fire in their home, leaving them quite frightened, can be therapeutic.
‘The distraction of stroking him and throwing him a ball can give comfort and reassurance to those affected by traumatic incidents.
‘I’ll miss the nice cuddles he gives at the end of a job, especially if we’ve been to an upsetting or distressing incident.
‘He’s my best mate and I love him to bits – while it’s the end of an era in some ways I’m so pleased he’ll still be around and part of our very special community, and I know that Loki will carry on doing a great job in his paw-steps.’
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