A VET from Monmouth who performed life-saving surgery on a police dog has been nominated for a national award.

After leaving Monmouth School in 2003, Rob Adams graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2008 and is now a soft tissue specialist at Davies Veterinary Specialists in Hertfordshire.

Rob has now been nominated for Vet of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards 2018. An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 5th April where the winners will be announced.

In 2016, PD Finn sustained stab wounds to the head and chest as he and his handler, PC David Wardell, pursued a suspect in Stevenage. PC Wardell sustained stab wounds to his hand.

After initial treatment in Stevenage, Finn was transferred to Davies Veterinary Specialists, near Hitchin, where Rob operated. Finn required four hours of life saving surgery and 11 weeks of recovery.

Following the incident, campaigners lodged a successful e-petition, which topped 127,000 signatures and triggered a debate in Parliament.

Under UK law there is no specific offence for causing injury to a police animal whilst carrying out their duties. Under current UK legislation there are only two potential charges which can be used for injuries inflicted on police animals: the Animal Welfare Act 2006 or the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The life-threatening injuries inflicted on Finn were considered by the court to be of insufficient seriousness to warrant any additional sentence. As a result, a “no separate penalty” was delivered by the court.

As reported in last week’s Beacon, the Bill has received support from a number of people, including Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert.