Written by Mel
BLITZ - capitals as he was such a big bold brave animal. Previously owned and
handled by a private security officer. Blitz had proved his worth one night
by defending his handler from three attackers. Unfortunately Blitz became a
liability to his handler being too aggressive to anyone passing. A swap was
effected between Kim (who would always perform
well as long as he was on the lead which suited his new handler well). Blitz
was collected by Mel and the trainer Sgt
Charlie Walmsley and they returned to the dog training site at Clifton, Nottingham,
to introduce Blitz to the other dog handlers. They were all sitting inside the
dog trainers hut when Blitz was brought in and let off his lead. No one dare
move as Blitz stalked around and sized up his new companions. That evening Mel
brought Blitz home and after the children were in bed, he was brought in from
the kennel and introduced to our home. After a while he settled down and Joan
attempted to get acquainted. She was rewarded by being clamped on the arm by
some ferocious looking teeth which resulted in a colourful bruise. Blitz, however,
proved to be, through his training, a very honest working dog, with no mean
streaks in his character. Under working conditions he was bold and brave but
could be switched immediately to a docile friendly animal. Part of his work
was visiting junior schools where young children were able to fondle him without
fear. He was a loving part of our family but always ready when Mel donned his
uniform to go to work. He was a true partner into his old age and stands out
in our memories.
PC John Davis 726, Blitz & Mel, 1971 - publicity
photo
Written by Kenn
Reading Dad's comment about Blitz and "but could be switched immediately to a docile friendly animal" brings back one of my memories. It was a summers day and the family was in the garden. Us kids were playing with the dogs, we were young and Blitz so large he could be ridden like a donkey, when the postman came whistling up the garden path. Blitz, sensing an intruder took off like a guided missile in full kill mode. Dad turned round, grasped the situation and said firmly "Blitz, DOWN". I still have this image of Blitz going at full tilt and suddenly the legs just retracting into the DOWN position. He skidded to a half, fully 'down', mere feet in front of a startled postie.