A FORMER police dog who was slashed with a knife while saving the life of his handler in Herefordshire has died.

West Mercia Police said it was "with great sadness" it reported PD Bacca, who worked for the force from 2013 to 2019 before retiring with his handler PC Mike Davey, had died.

Paying tribute to PD Bacca, officers from around Herefordshire said he was a special dog and a "true legend" as he was injured in the early-morning attack.

A man was wielding a knife in Bromyard, while smashing shop windows, but PD Bacca saved the life of his handler PC Davey as they tried to bring the rampage to an end.

Hereford Times: PD Bacca was responding to a late-night incident in Bromyard in June 2018 when he was slashed. This was the scene the next morning.PD Bacca was responding to a late-night incident in Bromyard in June 2018 when he was slashed. This was the scene the next morning.

Responding to the news, police officers from Bromyard said: "Such sad news. Retired PD Bacca was special to the Bromyard community.

"His heroic actions helped keep our small town safe one night in June 2018, despite sustaining multiple knife wounds during the incident. RIP Bacca."

Officers from Hereford added: "Very sad news to hear of the passing of PD Bacca.

"A true legend of police dogs in Herefordshire.

"Many an officer felt a sigh of relief when Bacca and his handler Mike arrived at a job."

Hereford Times: Bacca's ear was badly hurt in the attackBacca's ear was badly hurt in the attack

It was in June 2018 when PC Davey was responding to an incident in Bromyard where a man armed with a knife was smashing shop windows in the early hours of the morning.

As he attempted to stop him, the man used the knife. PC Davey suffered injuries to his hands.

Despite Bacca being slashed a number of times, he returned to protect PC Davey before eventually helping to bring down the man.

But after being arrested and charged for the attack, Mesut Olgun, 30, from Watling Way, Bristol reportedly suffered injuries to his head, neck and elbow while in custody at HMP Hewell in Worcestershire.

He died in hospital on June 14, 2018.

PD Bacca and PC Mike Davey retired from the force in February 2019, before PD Bacca was presented with a Gold Medal Award from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) during a special ceremony later that year, an award that is a dog's equivalent to The George Cross.

They then featured in a TV show in 2020.