Police K-9 saves handler from shovel-wielding attacker

By Charlie Fenton

This is the dramatic moment a police dog saves its handler from a shovel-wielding thug.

PC Tom Marsden and PD Yoiko had attended a scene in Hull, East Yorks, in July last year when they were attacked.

The man had set alight to items in a flat in attempt to evade arrest was being aggressive towards officers.

The yob swung at Marsden with a shovel which he blocked and was pulled to the ground but Yoiko was able to stop any further attack on his handler.

For their bravery the duo from Humberside Police's Dog Section were awarded the Outstanding Bravery Award at the Thin Blue Paw Award Ceremony in London yesterday (Sept 24).

PC Marsden said: “Yoiko was so brave and did such a great job, he got a double-cheeseburger afterwards."

"The man had barricaded himself in a room and blocked the door with a bed frame.

"He had smashed the windows too so officers had to put a riot shield on the floor to protect Yoiko’s paws from the broken glass.

“It was pitch black and the room was filled with smoke, you couldn’t see a thing.

More from this section

UN identifies 158 firms linked to Israeli settlements

Skin-to-skin contact boosts brain growth in babies

Toyota opens high-tech village in Japan to road test the future

"I asked him to come out or I’d send in Yoiko and he threatened to kill my dog and any officers who would come near him.’"

“I entered with Yoiko and he then took a swing at me and Yoiko leapt up to stop this, it was then he attempted to hit Yoiko with a shovel, but I luckily managed to block this with my hand.

“I knew if that shovel had hit Yoiko it would have done serious damage - it could have killed him.

"But his instinct was to protect me even though he was in a pitch-black, smoke-filled room.

Officers managed to get the man to the ground where he was arrested.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of assault by beating an emergency worker, arson with intent, common assault, common assault of an emergency worker and affray.

He has since been sentenced to four years in prison.

Humberside Police Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Baker said: “PC Marsden and PD Yoiko demonstrated exceptional courage and professionalism in an extremely volatile and dangerous situation.

"They acted decisively to protect fellow officers, the public, and the suspect himself.

"PD Yoiko’s actions that day were instrumental in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion, and we commend them both for their bravery and dedication.”