A PUPPY which has joined the North Wales Police canine section has been named after the police dog which died in the recent Paris attacks.

North Wales Police have welcomed two new puppies to the force. Eight-week-old Labrador, Luna and 10-week-old Malinois, Diesel, who are now settling in with their new handlers, PC Gareth Wedley and PC Sonia Stobbart.

Diesel has been with handler PC Stobbart for the past two weeks and has settled into life as a police puppy very well.

His name was chosen by fans of the North Wales Police K9 Facebook page and has been named after the police dog who died during the terror attacks in Paris last November.

PC Stobbart said: “Having another puppy is hard work, there’s plenty of sleepless nights and hours of your own time spent with them.

"It’s all worth it to know that you have a dog that you have put everything into yourself because I will spend the next eight years working with him, he will be my protector and best friend.

“We’ve spent the first two weeks creating a bond and laying down some ground rules, he’s learnt so much already.

"He’s had his jabs now so we will be able to start socialising him to make him environmentally sound.”

The role of the dog section is to provide police dog and handler teams to support their colleagues across North Wales and to respond to emergency calls where their unique skills can be used to help make the region safer.

PC Wedley added: “Luna is doing really well at the moment – she’s already displaying a desire to chase and find a ball and bring it back to me, when she wants to give it back that is! This is something which I haven’t seen in a puppy I’ve had of her age before.

“She’s currently undergoing some training and we are also trying to introduce her to various environments. Early socialisation and introducing the dog to a wide range of people, animals and experiences is essential to ensure a sociable, well-adjusted and balanced dog which is suitable for police work.

“Her current training regime is done in a relaxed and gentle way to ensure she develops at her own pace. At the moment the signs are good – she’s adjusted really well and is embracing her new role. That said she’s one of the most demanding puppies I’ve had and is really inquisitive. This in itself brings a whole host of additional dog care and help from the family is very much appreciated!”