After six years of service with Wiltshire Police and over 200 arrests, top police dog Juno is shortly to retire.

As one of only two Rottweilers currently in service with Wiltshire Police Dog Section, Juno was ill-treated as a puppy but after being assigned to his handler, PC Neil Parsons, he grew in confidence and successfully completed the general purpose duties training course.

This course trained Juno to track offenders from crime scenes, to search buildings and open areas for offenders and missing people and to search for items of property. He was also trained to deal with armed people and to chase and detain criminals.

Through the high-calibre training provided by the Dog Section, Juno became one of the force’s most successful police dogs. He assisted in the arrest of over 200 offenders in Swindon and the surrounding area and together with his handler, PC Neil Parsons, won an award for the best Operational Team in the county.

Due to Juno’s age the decision has now been taken that he should retire. He will be looked after by the charity, Rottweiler Rehabilitation, for the rest of his life and his handler Neil will be a frequent visitor.

Neil states: “Juno was my first police dog and although he was ill-treated when young, once I had gained his trust and respect he turned into an excellent police dog.

"His arrest figures and overall work made me a very satisfied and happy handler. I knew if I got into difficulties Juno was always there to back me up and he never let me down.

"He has earned his retirement and although it is not possible to keep him with me, I know he is not far away and will visit him regularly”.