A police dog that took part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral has died in a car crash.
PD Bert, a five-year-old springer spaniel that worked for Cleveland Police, was one of two dogs in a canine support unit vehicle when it collided with a BMW in Hartlepool on Thursday evening.
Both animals were taken to a vet, but due to the severity of his injuries, PD Bert was put to sleep.
The other dog was unharmed and the police officer suffered minor injuries.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene and later charged with drink driving.
He has since been bailed and is due to appear at Teesside Magistrates Court on 1 August.
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PD Bert had been a serving police dog for three and a half years, Cleveland Police said.
During this time he located £250,000 in cash during a single search.
In 2022, he was deployed to London to assist with the funeral of the late Queen, which at the time was the largest ever ceremonial police operation, according to the National Police Chiefs Council.