Police Handler Speaks Of Heartbreak Over Loss Of Paris Hero Dog Diesel

nydailynews.com

The handler of Diesel, the brave French police dog who was tragically killed in the shoot-out with ISIS terrorists in Paris last month, has spoken of his grief for the loss of his beloved canine companion.

In an interview with the MailOnline, the police officer finally spoke about his friend saying: “I hoped he would come back, but he did not return. I have been badly affected by his disappearance.”

The Belgian Shepherd, died in a gun fight with ISIS militants when he was sent into an apartment in Saint Denis, where the lunatic who planned the attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, had hidden after the massacre in the French capital.

Police Nationale

But the dog was killed in a volley of gun-fire when he attacked a hiding militant, it’s reported that Diesel’s actions saved the life of a human member of his police assault squad.

There was a wave of mourning in response to the heroic canine’s death, with people using the hashtag #JeSuisChien to express their grief for the poor animal’s passing.

Diesel and his handler, had been close companions since the dog began duty five years ago.

Speaking to MailOnline, the officer, who wished to remain anonymous spoke of their bond.

He said:

Police dogs complete a three-month training course at the National Dog Resources Centre to become a patrol dog, and then the best dogs are chosen to become assault dogs in the RAID rapid reaction and intervention unit where they receive a further year of training.

Diesel was a work dog, he stayed in his kennel when he was not working. But he was very sociable, very obedient and professional… He loved to play, everything he learned was through play.

Daily Mail

The officer explained that there was a bond of mutual trust between the pair forged by spending almost every day together for five years and that he couldn’t even count the number of mission’s they’d been on together.

The officer told RMC Radio in an interview that: “Diesel almost certainly saved a man’s life that day… His entry into building meant that a police officer was not put in danger.”

Russian Times

He said that as they reached the second room he saw the dog rush forward but lost sight him then he heard shots.

The officer has defiantly said that despite his grief at Diesel’s death he will continue to work with dogs, saying: “There will be other missions, other assaults that need to be carried out with dogs.”

Russia has shown its solidarity with France by donating a new puppy to carry on Diesel’s legacy. The puppy, called Dobrynia, was sent to Paris by the Russian government to help ‘in the fight against terrorism’.

Tom Percival

More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.

Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.

He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.