A POLICE dog has retired after six years with the force.

PD Max, a German Shepherd, served with North Yorkshire Police’s canine unit as a general purpose police dog, whose duties included finding missing people, sniffing out suspects and policing public order situations such as protests.

The seven year old assisted with scores of jobs over the last six years - 42 in dog years - and has now been adopted by a new owner, and former police officer, in the Ryedale area.

A police spokeswoman said Max had detained between 40 and 50 suspects in his career, including a shoplifter in Northallerton who had evaded air support and officers on foot, and a suspect in York who became violent towards police officers, throwing items at them, including a scooter, and was stood on a raised walkway making it difficult for human police to reach him.

Sergeant Simon Whitby, head of North Yorkshire Police’s dog section, paid tribute to Max, and wished him well.

He said: “Max has served us well for the past six years but we could see he was starting to get tired. Although he was still a very capable police dog, we noticed subtle changes in him such as slowing down and preferring to lay in front of the fire on rest days than be out and about chasing around.

“Max has done his duty and can be extremely proud of what he has done for the people of North Yorkshire, but now it’s time for him to have a rest.”