Police dog reunited with handler in retirement

A police dog who once took down a machete-wielding man in Scunthorpe is set to enjoy retirement with her former handler.

Quinta, who officers described as a “sniffing super-hound”, has worked in Humberside Police’s dog section for eight years.

The dog used to live with her first handler, PC Mick Tune, before he took early retirement to spend time with his wife who had been diagnosed with cancer.

The force said the crime-fighting pair had been reunited and Quinta would now lead “a life of luxury for the rest of her days”.

Humberside Police said Quinta and PC Tune had worked on numerous jobs together, with the dog’s scent work, which was “second to none”, helping find vulnerable people.

Officers said the hound also “bravely took down a man with a machete one summer morning in Scunthorpe”.

Quinta lived at home with PC Tune and his wife, Sharon, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

After PC Tune’s retirement, Quinta was paired up with a new handler PC Phil Lusby, who promised that when it was time for the dog to retire, Mick and Sharon would have the option to have her back at home.

However, Sharon died in February this year before she could see Quinta return home.

The force said Quinta was now helping PC Tune to heal from his grief.

He said: “To say I am honoured is an understatement as this little firecracker of a dog has over the past eight years been an immense asset to both the force and Phil and myself who have been fortunate to be considered her handlers.”

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