Police dog Winston awarded Animal of the Year after coming out of retirement to keep catching criminals – in exchange for tennis balls

Police dog Winston has been awarded South Yorkshire Police's 'Animal of the Year' for his services to the force as a detection dog, after officers asked the public to vote for a number of furry candidates.

The force was running low on police dogs this year, so asked the English Springer spaniel to come out of retirement and return to the front line sniffing out drugs, illegal weapons and cash – on the basis of being thrown a few tennis balls in return.

Winston became an official detection dog in 2014 and since then has helped find millions of pounds' worth of drugs and other criminal assets, effectively putting a sting in the tails of criminals bringing misery and violence to the South Yorkshire community.

Among his achievements are sniffing out £150,000 hidden in a cellar, alerting officers to a firearm buried underground, and in a major career highlight, the discovery of £700,000 of cocaine in one find.

PD Winston has also located shell casings and firearms for forensic teams investigating serious shootings and murders.

Pc Lee Schofield, who is PD Winston's handler, praised the mutt's hard-working spirit describing how he comes to work "with a smile on his face".

“Over the years Winston has clocked up numerous detections of weapons that have been used in serious offences as well a huge amount of drugs we have seized from organised crime.

“Every day he comes to work with a smile on his face ready to search and find, work is one big game to him and he does it all for a ball.

“Winston has been back in action for nearly a year now and for the foreseeable future he will continue to work, he’s great at his job."

Despite his sharp ability to help police in serious criminal investigations, PD Winston is a hit with members of the public due to his happy nature and love of making new friends.

PD Winston and his handler Pc Schofield were presented with their award by Superintendent Paul McCurry from the force's Operational Support Unit.

Supt McCurry said: “We recognise the efforts of our officers and reward them for going above and beyond in their roles, I think it is important that we also recognise the value that animals bring to policing.

“I am pleased to award PD Winston with his trophy today. Congratulations to not only PD Winston but also PC Schofield, who Winston takes his direction and command from, excellent teamwork.”

Pc Schofield added: “It’s a pleasure to receive the award for Winston. Thank you to the public who voted.”

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