Badger, a cocker spaniel, was found as a puppy abandoned in a bucket in a home’s front garden. The tiny black puppy was found in Redhill, Surrey, UK, in July 2019, only a little over six weeks old, along with three other puppies. The future is now bright for Badger as a police canine sniffer. Badger and the other puppies suffered terrible mange, were severely underweight, had an eye and ear issues, and were entirely bald. The puppies were looked after by the RSPCA, which also helped them find homes.
Dustin (now Badyer), El, Lucas, and Mike were given to the puppies in homage to the Stranger Things characters on Netflix. The lovely Badger was handed back to the RSPCA because his new family did not get along with him and he was reportedly too energetic. Many people there predicted that he would succeed in a career in police enforcement. Jo Douglas, who was seated next to Badger at the RSPCA, spoke to the Daily Mail about the following:
It’s been amazing to see him develop from a frightened and defenseless puppy into a brave and savvy crime-fighting hero. Jo, a staff member at the Millbrook Animal Center of the RSPCA in Cobham, states that Badger was extremely anxious and skilled at sniffing out and detecting objects. From there, it was decided to contact the police and recruit him there.
His adopters found this to be too much, so she came back to us, the lady continued, adding that he required constant stimulation and was always on the go. To keep him entertained, tennis balls were smuggled through the middle, and we engaged him in smell games.
PC Steph Barrett, Badger’s coworker at the Surrey and Sussex Police Dog Unit, describes what transpired as follows: After getting a great deal of love and education, he has recovered his faith in other people. He still has a playful side, but his profession is his only priority. He makes me happy all day long.
