A proposed bill designed to provide extra protection to service animals like police dogs and horses has been blocked by a Tory MP.
The bill, Finn's Law - which is named after a police dog was stabbed while protecting his handler - aims to add extra legal protection to animals by removing the current law of self-defence, often used as justification by people who harm police dogs or horses.
But Sir Christopher Chope, who is known for being against private members' laws, announced that he objected to the bill - met by groans in the Commons.
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Oh, he also derailed another government-backed plan to criminalise upskirting earlier today.
The Metro reports that rules in parliament mean that it only requires one MP to shout 'object' in order for a law's progress to become blocked.
The law was tabled by Conservative MP Sir Oliver Heald, who said the bill would have progressed towards being a law had Chope had not objected.
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A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said it was 'entirely supportive of Sir Oliver Heald in his efforts to get the bill passed and looks forward to the next opportunity the Bill can be debated'.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove had offered his full support in the lead-up to the debate, saying: "This bill will offer stronger protection for the many brave service animals that help to protect us.
"This Government is continuing to raise the bar on animal welfare, whether it be for our beloved pets, brave service animals or on farms."
PC Wardell told the story of Finn's incredible bravery to the Daily Mail, explaining that the pair were chasing a fleeing suspect.
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"Police officer with a dog! Stop! Stop or I'll send the dog," he shouted. When he ignored him, PC Wardell let Finn go, only for the worst to occur. "As the man tried to scramble over a fence, Finn took hold of his lower leg in his mouth and pulled until the suspect was face-down on the grass.
"The man then suddenly flipped on to his back. I took hold of Finn's collar and told the suspect: 'You need to listen to me. You need to stop fighting my dog'. Suddenly, something caught my eye.
"It was a massive piece of dark metal which he appeared to be pulling from Finn's chest. It was covered in blood. It was a knife - as thick as a ruler. It was ridiculously huge, like a hunting knife - the blade alone must have been 10 inches long.
"'You've just stabbed my dog!' I gasped. 'You piece of shit!' Now the man lunged forward towards me. I had no time to react, but Finn did. He tugged harder on the man's leg, shaking it violently. All the suspect managed to do was slice open Finn's head, and as my hand was close by, he sliced that open too."
Finn was rushed to a 24-hour vet and was eventually moved to a specialist unit, where they managed to save him. The brave pup was given oxygen and morphine and vets attended to the stab wound, which had punctured a lung - the blade missed his heart by a matter of centimetres.
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"Finn was linked up to all sorts of machines and breathing aids, and all I could see was my big, brave boy so horribly diminished," said PC Wardell. "Almost his whole body was shaved, beneath a blue protective jacket that kept all the tubes in place and protected his enormous surgical wounds."
Under current rules, someone who attacks a police dog is only punishable under criminal damage legislation, as animals are considered to the be the property of the police.
As for Finn, he returned to active duty in December, just a month after his injury, and has now retired to live with PC Wardell.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, UK, Animals, Dogs, Politics