The Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Democrat Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed recent news that the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act (more commonly known as Finn’s Law) has finally been given Royal Assent and entered the statute books.

The new law will give additional legal protection to dogs and horses serving alongside police officers or other emergency services personnel. It means that anyone causing such an animal suffering commits a serious offence in England and Wales.

Councillor Sykes said: “These animals serve bravery, loyally and selflessly alongside police officers tackling criminals and they deserve our thanks for their work and our protection when they are injured. This legislation came from an incident where a German Shepherd dog called Finn was brutally stabbed by a thug he was trying to apprehend in Hertfordshire. Despite being badly injured in the attack, Finn held onto the offender until help arrived. Finn’s owner PC Dave Wardell also credited Finn with saving his own life as he was also injured in the incident.”

Before the change in legislation, offenders injuring such a dog faced only criminal damage charges.

Councillor Sykes added: “The Oldham Liberal Democrats brought a motion to Oldham Council, in December 2017, recognising that animals have sentience, feeling and emotions and that they feel pain and can be traumatised by suffering.  I am pleased to say that Finn did ultimately recover from his life-threatening injuries, but he was forced to retire.  Finn’s Law finally recognises that animals are more than just property, and I welcome it.”