Hants Fire Dogs

10/05/2026

We now have a lasting memorial to our wonderful dogs🐾

21/04/2026

Today Search Dog Red and Retired Search Dog Saxon celebrated their third birthdays, with a walk in the New Forest. Joined by Retired Search Dogs Hoodie and Eric, they soon found the water and took a dip!

Eric and Saxon also received their Valued Service Certificate following their retirement last month.
Eric having served for nine years and Saxon for two years.

21/04/2026

A year ago, firefighters pulled a tiny, burned English Springer Spaniel puppy from the rubble of a house fire. He was barely breathing, his fur scorched, his body broken — but somehow, he survived. They named him Jake.

Instead of sending him to a shelter, the crew brought him to their firehouse. They fed him, bandaged his burns, and stayed up through the night to make sure he was still breathing. Slowly, the little pup who couldn’t stand began to walk again — then run, then wag his tail every time he heard a siren.

Jake became family. He followed the firefighters everywhere, sat beside them during long nights, and comforted them after hard calls. His scars faded, but his spirit only grew stronger.

When the firehouse made it official — giving Jake a badge and the title of their first English Springer Spaniel K9 member — there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. The puppy who had nearly died in the flames now stood proudly among heroes, one of them.

Jake now visits schools, teaches kids about fire safety, and brings hope wherever he goes. For the firefighters, he’s more than a mascot — he’s a reminder that even after the worst destruction, life can rise again.

As one firefighter said, “We saved him from the fire, but he saves us every day.” 🐕🔥

20/04/2026

27/03/2026

Introducing our new recruit, Samba.

Samba will begin her training next week to become a Fire Investigation Search Rodent, alongside our Labrador Red.

Samba has recently relocated from the Marwell area in Wi******er to our headquarters in Eastleigh.

19/03/2026

Here's wishing Fire Investigation Search Dog Hoodie a long and happy retirement as he hangs up his boots having attended numerous investigations across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the south of the UK.

Over the years he has assisted bringing offenders to justice for committing arson with intent, attempted murder and murder.

He as also attended many station open days, schools, colleges, universities and community groups promoting fire safety.

Hoodie will remain with his handler and family including Fire Investigation Search Dog Red.

K9 Hoodie closing home station.

17/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1VFLYHUPHx/

Today, following a departmental restructure, we bid farewell to Fire Investigation Officer and Search Dog Handler Graham Howlett . Graham, known to everyone as 'We**ie', is the man who gave birth to the Hampshire Arson Task Force back in 2006, at one time the best performing Arson Task Force in the UK.

Grahams first love has always been his dogs and over the years he built up a wealth of experience handling Gun Dogs, Fire Investigation Search Dogs, USAR and ISAR Search Dogs, and assisted many handlers new to the discipline to train and qualify their dogs.

Graham"'s two current Fire Investigation Search Dogs, Eric aged 9 and Saxon Jr aged 2 will remain with him on their retirement today.

We wish Graham every success with his new role with Peter Mansi Fire Investigations FI-UK. We are sure with his experience and work ethic, he'll bring a lot to Peters team.

Hotel Alpha Tango One closing home station.

01/11/2025

Happy 9th Birthday to Fire Investigation Search Dog Hoodie!
Following a special birthday breakfast he took a trip to the beach at Hayling Island with his brother, Red.
Then back home in time for tea, and now fast asleep!

26/10/2025

A busy week for the boys saw Hoodie & Eric filming with Alan Titchmarsh Love Your Weekend , National Foundation for Retired Service Animals - NFRSA, Service Dogs UK, Robert Bathurst, & The D-Day Darlings on Wednesday.
Then training with Hampshire & Thames Valley Police JOU on Thursday, for Saxon & Red.

29/08/2025

Someone got to the Amazon delivery before me Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary 3SFire Community Interest Company Thames Valley Police Hants Fire Dogs UK Fire & Rescue Services K9 Memorial National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial