Toowoomba Police dog unit officer in charge backs calls for new laws to protect crime-fighting animals

They’re assaulted, injured, stabbed and sometimes killed in the line of duty, which is why police dogs need great protection, Toowoomba Police dog unit boss says.

In the fight against crime, and serving our community, police dogs are on the frontline.

From aiding the search for missing people, tracking down evidence or dealing with high risk incidents involving violent and armed offenders, Queensland Police working dogs and their handlers can find themselves in dangerous and hazardous situations.

With that danger comes the risk of serious harm, with police dogs assaulted, injured stabbed and even killed in the line of duty.

Toowoomba Police officer in charge of the dog unit Sergeant Trevour O’Neil has backed tough new laws introduced to parliament by Police Minister Mark Ryan that will create a new offence targeting people who seriously injure or kill a police dog or horse.

Officer-in-charge Toowoomba Dog Squad Sergeant Trevour O'Neil with dutch shepherd PD Danko, Monday, August 16, 2021. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Sgt O’Neil said handlers forged a strong connection with their dogs through the difficulties and challenges they face.

“Our working dogs are virtually born and bred as police dogs, they fall into the life of kennelling and being handled from the moment they’re born,” Sgt O’Neil said.

“Our dogs and handlers form a bond that we enhance and strive to maintain because these dogs are working for us in difficult circumstances.

“The roles over the years have changed and a lot of the time the dog and handler are put into hazardous situations and the team resolves them to the best of their abilities.

“At times our dogs are injured in the course of duty, and they’ve been assaulted numerous times and received injuries over the years by offenders so hopefully new laws will act as a deterrent as well as acknowledge the vital role our dogs play in the community.”

Sergeant Trevour O'Neil has backed laws put forward that would increase the potential penalty for offenders that injure or kill police dogs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A veteran of the Queensland Police dog unit in Toowoomba since 2010, Sgt O’Neil knows the pain of losing a canine companion first hand after Police Dog Kaleb died after helping his team track down a suspect burglar in Harristown in 2019.

Just last year, Toowoomba Police Dog Turbo and his handler was stabbed multiple times in a critical incident.

“They’re you’re best mate, they are members of the family, part of the role is that they’re kennel with you at home so they’re with us 24/7,” Sgt O’Neil said.

“When there’s an incident we receive get well cards and letters, sometimes even bags of bones and it’s touching. It’s nice to get recognition for the work the dogs do when they’re out there keeping the community safe.

Dutch shepherd PD Danko gets put through his paces by Toowoomba Police dog unit officer-in-charge Sergeant Trevour O’Neil. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“They love their work and their training, it’s motivation for them. The support we receive from the local community is tremendous, and that’s what this legislation is about. It serves to strengthen the laws and recognise the benefits that police dogs and horses provide daily throughout the state.”