Senior police officer joins Huntingdon dog rescue

Cambridgeshire’s Deputy Chief Constable Alan Baldwin made an unusual “collar” when he drove through Huntingdon - he stopped to get involved in the rescue of a runaway dog which was in danger of being knocked over by busy traffic on the ring road.

Police will also fit a security gate to stop the dog, called Benji, from getting out again.

Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite praised the actions of DCC Baldwin, who was on his way to a meeting with him, in a Facebook tribute.

DCC Baldwin said: “He’s now happily reunited with his owner, a vulnerable chap who now has his companion back and is smiling again - another day spent in the rich tapestry of policing.”

DCC Baldwin was on his way back to the police headquarters at Hinchingbrooke when his eye was caught by people running around in between vehicles on Huntingdon’s ring road.

He pulled over and saw a small dog, Benji, weaving in and out of the traffic.

The DCC then joined the other members of the public who were attempting to catch Benji and they were eventually able to apprehend the dog and take him back to his owner.

It is understood that it took the best part of an hour to complete the operation.

Mr Ablewhite paid tribute to the DCC’s actions on Facebook, saying: “The dog was reunited with its owner who was disabled and lived on the ring road.

“The gent was naturally beside himself as he thought his little best friend was going to get run over.”

Mr Ablewhite said: “Not only was he returned but police officers have made provision for a child gate to be fitted for free so that the dog doesn’t get out again.

“The DCC arrived to my meeting and in true policing fashion, apologised for the state of his shirt.”