New fire investigation dog Holly joins West Midlands Fire Service with support from local vet practice
A four-year-old working Cocker Spaniel named Holly has officially joined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) as an accelerant detection dog, helping investigators identify the presence of ignitable liquids in deliberate fires.
Holly, who is handled by Watch Commander Annette Carrington, recently achieved her operational licensing with South Yorkshire Police, having successfully completed months of specialist, bespoke scent-detection training with Annette and Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service.
The pair will now work across the region as part of the WMFS Fire Investigation and Prevention Section, using Holly’s finely tuned nose to locate traces of accelerants such as petrol or paraffin that could otherwise go undetected.
Holly’s healthcare will be provided by Harrison Family Vets, which opened in 2022 at Gatehouse Retail Park on Dudley Road in Kingswinford. The independent practice is providing Holly with a complimentary Total Wellness Plan, covering unlimited vet consultations, all her routine health checks, vaccinations, preventive treatments and discounts on treatments and pet food.
Annette said: “Holly is an incredible partner. She’s energetic, intelligent and absolutely loves to work. Her role is vital in helping us uncover the causes of fires and gather evidence that can make a real difference in criminal investigations. Her detection skills are much faster than those of humans, too!
“Her temperament and nature make her perfect for the role, and it was obvious from a really young age that her high drive to detect was in-built, so much so that she has had a litter of puppies that have gone into specialist search sectors as detection dogs within the police force.”
As well as working together, Holly lives at home with Annette and her 8-year-old Cockapoo, Frankie. Annette added: “Obviously, having a healthy, happy dog is essential for this kind of work. We were delighted when Harrison Family Vets in Kingswinford offered to provide her with a Total Wellness Plan and veterinary care.”
Since completing her training in September, Holly has already assisted in two live investigations for West Midlands Police. She undergoes weekly scent detection training to maintain her skills and follows a strict decontamination process after every deployment to safeguard her health.
Clinic director and vet, Rosie Levene-Barry, from Harrison Family Vets in Kingswinford, said: “It’s exciting to welcome Holly and Annette to our practice. Service dogs like Holly play an important role in protecting people and property. We’re honoured to be supporting her health and wellbeing as she begins her career helping fire investigators uncover the truth behind some of the region’s most complex cases.”
