A POLICE dog serving with the Essex force who lost a leg while deployed to try and stop a car thief has become the recipient of a remarkable cross Atlantic gift.

Baloo is a three year old Belgian Malinois dog, and her handler were called to the scene of a car theft in 2018 and she was struck by a fleeing car at the scene. Baloo suffered a badly broken leg which ultimately needed to be amputated.

Baloo's service as a police dog came to a sudden end.

Nearly 5,800 kms away, in Canada a police officer serving with the Halton Police Force (near Toronto) read about Baloo's story and was so moved she decided to give up her own service medal as tribute.

In 2010 Police Constable Suzanne Bedard had been awarded a Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal by Canada's Governor General. The service medal recognises officers that have served on the frontline with potential risk in an exemplary manner protecting the safety and security of the public. In an act of selflessness, Constable Bedard reached out to the Essex Police and offered her service medal to Baloo.

PC Bedard said: "I know the meaning behind (the medal) and Baloo is well-deserving for her service and sacrifice for the Essex community where she policed with her dog handler. In my opinion RPD Baloo served Essex Police Service with exemplary service and I am honoured as a member of the policing community for her family and former dog handler to accept my service medal on her behalf."

Recently the Essex force held a ceremony, where Baloo was presented with Constable Bedard's medal. The emotional ceremony was captured on video and shared (Click on red button below)..

Essex Police Deputy Chief Constable Pippa Mills said: "'The story of Baloo's early retirement and recovery with her new family has been keenly followed by our policing family across the UK and, as demonstrated by Suzanne, our blue light family from across the world."

Baloo now lives alongside her buddy Titch (a six-year old Jack Russell) in a rural area with acres of private farmland.