A RETIRED police dog from Essex who suffered life-changing injuries in the line of duty has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Tuesday 18 February), The Kennel Club announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2025.

Baloo, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, has been unveiled as the finalist in the Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog category of The Kennel Club award. In October 2018, while on duty, police dog Baloo was hit by a suspect’s car fleeing a crime scene, resulting in life-changing injuries and, devastatingly, amputation of one of her legs. 

Baloo retired with Mandy Chapman, a former police dog handler, and as she recovered, Mandy took her to see the team at Essex police force who were impacted by the incident. These visits soon became a regular occurrence as it became clear how beneficial they were for the mental health of officers and staff alike.

Baloo and Mandy were introduced to the College of Policing team who provide well-being and mental health support, which led to the introduction of the ‘Oscar Kilo’ wellbeing and trauma support dogs service – and there are now over 250 of these dogs nationwide.

Meanwhile, the duo’s volunteering has extended even further, and, alongside police stations, the pair now also visit schools, care homes, Guides and Scout groups and thousands of other community groups.  

“It’s phenomenal what Baloo has achieved in her life, after such a trauma and serious injuries,” said Mandy. “But every day is just a whole new day to Baloo. Her disability hasn’t stopped her – in the last six years she’s changed lives and spread smiles every day. I’m just so proud of her.”

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, which unveiled this year’s five finalists in Green Park, London, today, said: “This award is an opportunity to celebrate our unsung canine heroes – those dogs that quietly go about changing people’s lives in their own unique and special way, those who keep us safe in society and show extraordinary courage, and those best friends who are by our sides through it all. 

“Baloo exemplifies why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’, and we urge those in Essex and beyond to vote and show their support for this extraordinary dog and her unwavering loyalty and bravery.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, one of the UK’s largest dog welfare organisations, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced in the bp pulse LIVE arena at Birmingham NEC, and on Channel 4, on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 9 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the event for the ways in which they change our lives.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

The public can now watch each of the finalist’s stories, including Baloo’s, in specially-made videos, and vote for their Hero Dog 2025, until 4pm on Sunday 9 March, by visiting crufts.org.uk/herodogaward.