Ready and raring to go: Meet the West Midlands Fire Service dogs
They are ready and raring to go. After a well deserved break, these West Midlands Fire Service dogs are back in action.
Peppa, Kai and Fly are back with handler Matt Dixon and getting to the bottom of how fires start after a week off as Matt and his family went on holiday.
While Ellie, a German Shorthaired Pointer also pictured, is enjoying her retirement.
Peppa and Kai, seven and two respectively, are both fire investigation dogs meaning they search fire scenes for any potential cause.
For example, if arson is suspected, Peppa and Kai look for a potential accelerant.
In 2013 Peppa, a Labrador and Kai, an Alsatian, helped to jail Mohammed Inayat for 22 years as he set fire to his Birmingham home and killed his wife in a so-called honor killing.
They found traces of petrol in several rooms of the house, as well as in a jug, the kitchen sink and a petrol can nearby.
One-and-a-half year old Fly, a Border Colley, is a trained search and rescue dog.
All four of the dogs, including 13-year-old retired fire investigation dog Ellie, live at home with Matt and his family.
He said of the dogs: "They do everything a regular family dog would do but a lot more.
"For them it's not a job. Every time they complete a job they get to play with a tennis ball, tug of war or whatever their favourite toy is.
"People think that with time off they're going to forget what their jobs are and not want to do it. But it's the exact opposite, for them it's a week without playing with their favourite toys so they come back even eager to get the job done."
Asked about the dogs posing for the camera, Matt said: "They're not really posing. The trick is I stand behind the lens with a tennis ball and they stare at that.
"Saying that though Kai is very much known to pose."
Asked about adding to his pack of four, Matt said: "With just me being the only handler for the fire service it's difficult to get any more.
"In about a year, year and a half I will start looking for a replacement for Peppa as she nears retirement age.
"But all the dogs will stay with me until they pass away, they're part of the family."
