A ten-year-old Springer Spaniel named Henry has won international recognition for his role in fighting wildlife crime. Rejected by five homes for his energetic nature, Henry now aids police and conservationists, proving himself a true hero for animals.
From lost soul to wildlife hero
Henry’s journey began when Louise Wilson of Conservation K9 Consultancy in Wrexham rescued him at eight months old. She described him as a “lost soul” struggling to find a home. Over time, training harnessed his high energy and natural instincts, transforming him into a skilled detection dog.
Henry can detect seven different scents, ranging from birds of prey to hedgehogs. His nose helps police locate bird carcasses, small monitoring tags, and evidence left by criminals targeting wildlife. Although not a formal police dog, he has become invaluable to the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) in protecting birds of prey.
Tracking crime and gathering evidence
Detective Inspector Mark Harrison of the NWCU said Henry’s work plays a crucial role in evidence collection. “If we don’t recover anything, the investigation grinds to a halt,” he explained. During a recent search, Henry located a tiny bird skull hidden under dense heather, demonstrating his remarkable skill. Harrison added that intelligence shows offenders feel “scared and worried” by the growing use of animals like Henry in wildlife protection.
Supporting conservation beyond law enforcement
Henry also aids ecological monitoring, helping track pine martens, hedgehogs, otters, and water voles. Louise has trained dogs worldwide to detect firearms, explosives, and tobacco, but she says Henry belongs to a new wave of conservation dogs tackling wildlife crime. His strong will and “unruly energy” make him perfect for this work. Louise explained, “He has so much drive that training him for conservation gave him focus and purpose.”
Celebrated at the Animal Action Awards
Henry received the Animal of the Year award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) at the 25th Animal Action Awards in London. The ceremony also recognized human conservationists from around the world. Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan called Henry a “superdog” and praised Louise’s dedication in training him. “Training a dog to do this work requires enormous patience, time, and commitment,” she said. “Together, they form a formidable team for wildlife protection.”
