26/08/2024
For the first time, Police Dog Zyla's handler has spoken about the impact Zyla's death has had on them, the force, other members of the Tactical Dogs and Fi****ms Unit and their families.
PD Zyla died while responding to an incident on 3 July when she entered water.
Her handler's tribute is so beautiful that we have decided to publish it here in full;
🐕🦺 🐕🦺 🐕🦺 🐕🦺 🐕🦺
OUR GIRL
Firstly we want to highlight the truly wonderful family who gave Zyla the most loving home until she came to Leicestershire Police ready and raring to go! Zyla was 1 of 3 amazing Leicestershire Police dogs from the same mum, Zin. Her half-brothers being the fabulous PDs Jura and Nash.
We will always be grateful to her breeder for nurturing Zyla into becoming the most spectacular beautiful, clever, loving, playful and ball obsessed gorgeous girl. Their intention was always to keep Zyla but upon recognising her drive and exceptional abilities made one of the toughest decisions in allowing her to shine so brightly and fulfil her destiny as a police dog – thank you.
To my faithful Zyla, my crew mate and friend – our girl, July 3rd was the most difficult day of my career, I write this knowing I will forever hold you tightly within my heart and there you will always remain as life goes on without you but will never be the same.
As a family, dog section, police family we are hurting more than words can say.
I remember the moment I first saw you; I gasped at your beauty as you leapt to greet me with joy. You stole the hearts of those who were lucky enough to meet you.
We started our training together at the beginning of October 2023 where you proved yourself to me time and time again forging a truly special bond – we were the perfect partnership.
You knew no limits, you tracked like no other, you demonstrated ways of finding people in ways I’d never seen, if there was a gap to fit through you WOULD find it!
Your willingness to please me, your loyalty and fearlessness shone through. As a team we had immediate success with you sniffing out a suspect wanted on recall to prison evading police by hiding in thick woodland forcing him to run straight into the welcoming arms of a neighbourhood police officer. Further deployments with suspects, one garden hopping and the other hiding in a car in the garage he broke into – both trying their luck at hide and seek, it’s fair to say you won those games!
Zyla you were loved by all who met you, you were the perfect partner, the perfect family member, you were our girl who would stop at nothing to ensure I made it home safely.
Many of our police dogs love ball play, Zyla was certainly no exception! She absolutely LOVED ball play, it was her favourite game 24/7. I remember our morning walk to the end of the garden where you would drop the ball at my feet 100 times over, with that famous head tilt of yours together and the 'melt your heart' look to persuade me to play some more!
You were a bouncy bundle of joy, a girl who never stopped. You didn’t walk, you glided with such beauty and grace. You were taken too soon but in your short time you made sure you lived to the full.
The day you were taken from me I will never forget! A piece of me died that day with you. Your heroic actions that day ensured I made it home safely and I will never forget your sacrifice for me, my family, my police family and the wider public. You are our hero, you are our girl.
Yes you were a fantastic police dog with a bright future, but you were so much more.
Every day I see your favourite ball, my quiet empty garden, your empty kennel, empty police car and feel my empty heart.
Zyla I love you, I miss you, I thank you – you will always be our special girl.
