A POLICE dog is being sponsored by the company which runs council houses in Calderdale.
Pennine Housing 2000 stepped in with cash for the three-year-old German Shepherd called Harry after the West Yorkshire force appealed for backers.
Nasar Haq, of Pennine Housing 2000, said: "We are very serious about ensuring we have peaceful estates and neighbourhoods and are committed to working with partners like the police to curb anti-social behaviour.
"Sponsoring Harry is another way we can help our tenants and the residents of Calderdale feel safe and secure in their communities."
At any one time, West Yorkshire police has at least 50 general purpose dogs.
This is in addition to about 20 drugs dogs and several dogs used for sniffing out explosives.
The dogs undertake a 13-week training course with their handler and live with the handler's family for the rest of their life.
West Yorkshire Police's business partnership team said it would like to hear from any other firms interested in sponsoring a dog.
Sponsors are asked to pay for the initial purchase of the dog.
In the case of German Shepherds this is an average of £750.
Call police on 01924 292266 for further details.
