Fire Investigation dog Hoodie

Hoodie

Hoodie is a old black Labrador. He was initially trained and handled by Fire Investigation Officer Graham Howlett and first qualified to work fire scenes with Hampshire Constabulary in 2018. On Graham’s retirement in 2019, Hoodie was taken on by fire investigation officer Andy Earl. Initially, Hoodie worked alongside Andy’s spaniel, Millie until her retirement in 2020. Hoodie has assisted several police forces with their investigations, including two murder cases.

Hoodie regularly trains with the other dogs under the watchful eye of former police officer Ian Franklin, who volunteers his time to the dog section for weekly training sessions. Hoodie trains once a month with the Hampshire and Thames Valley Joint Operations Unit and is assessed every year to confirm his (and Andy’s) ability to work crime scenes.

When not on duty, Hoodie enjoys being at home where he is a much-loved member of the Earl family. He enjoys playing in the garden with retired search dog Millie and sausage dog Ada. He likes his exercise and walks around 10km every day. He loves the water and is currently learning to paddle board with Andy.

Louis

Louis is a working English springer spaniel who was re-homed from his family by Fire Investigation Officer Sean White. Louis, who was originally called Bolt, was too much to handle for his family as he has a very high play drive. Nicknamed ‘the pocket rocket’, Louis started training under the supervision of FISD Harvey and Ruby and picked it up very quickly. His high play drive was soon channelled into his training and soon calmed down as he was now getting the mental and physical stimulation he craved.

His favourite game is searching and retrieving a tennis ball and he also learnt to retrieve eggs from the chicken coop. He has learnt to be methodical when he is searching.

Louis loves getting out to community events and meeting people and enjoys showing off his talents by demonstrating his search abilities. He also loves getting wet with Ruby and will jump at the chance to splash around in the sea.​

Fire Investigation dog Louis
Fire Investigation dog Eric

Eric

Eric was gifted to HIWFRS from Manchester FRS following the retirement of their dog handler. He is a  black Labrador Retriever, and along with his handler Graham Howlett, is trained to search fire scenes for the possible presence of ignitable liquids used in the setting of deliberate fires (arson).

As soon as Graham gets Eric out of the van and dresses him in his PPE harness and boots, Eric is ready to go to work. Placing the harness and boots on Eric is like “flicking a light switch on”, Eric knows it is time for work and he is eager to start. When Eric locates the remains of an ignitable liquid he is trained to “freeze” in position and place his nose on the exact area that is contaminated. Eric will then stay in position until his handler clicks and rewards him, the result being one happy dog, one Happy handler, a happy CSI, and a safer Hampshire.

Work is Play and Play is Work with Eric. He loves nothing more than running around the New Forest.

Saxon and Red

Our newest recruits Saxon and Red are both Labradors, Fox Red in colour and were born on April 21 2023. They were bred by Kerdat Gundogs and precured by Hampshire and Thames Valley Police Joint Operations Unit.

Saxon and Red will complete a development program of environment training and obedience which will run for between 12 to 18 months before being trained on their target substances and eventually becoming certificated by Hampshire and Thames Valley Police to work crime scenes across the UK.

Saxon, known affectionately as Saxon Jr or ‘SJ’ will live with his handler, Fire Investigation Officer Graham Howlett, along with Fire Investigation Search Dog Eric and Retired Urban Search and Rescue Dog Harley. The name Saxon was chosen in honour of Graham’s first ever Fire investigation Search Dog that joined the Hampshire Arson Task Force  back in 2006, retiring in 2014.

Red will live with his handler, Fire Investigation Officer Andy Earl and his family.

Saxon and Red

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