Matthew and his Jack Russell Max met two of London's heroes at the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs show. The pair met up with Constable Phil Wells and his police dog Obi. The Police officer and his police dog became well-known during this summer's riots after Obi was injured by a flying brick in Tottenham and needed emergency surgery at Mandeville Veterinary Hospital and at the University of Cambridge for multiple fractures to his skull.
The Discover Dogs show comes at an important time, as figures released last week showed that more people are having to give up their pets as a result of the economic crisis. Pet shelters are receiving many animals because their owners cannot afford to keep them and many need veterinary treatment that their owners have just not been able to pay for.
Matthew said: ""There can be little more upsetting for people, particularly children, than having to give up a member of their family. This is the personal face of the economic crisis. However, it was heartening to meet Obi at the show and to see him fully recovered after the callous attack on him in the summer. Obi and his handler are the true heroes of our society as they show courage in the face of danger day in day out on the capital's streets.""
Photo: Matthew and Max with Constable Phil Wells and police dog Obi