A POLICE dog who was at the centre of a row last year when her handler resigned has died, West Mercia Police has said.

Mant thousands signed a petition urging the force to let police dog Ivy d go into retirement alongside her handler Sgt David Evans.

A statement issued by the force this evening (Friday) says: "It is with great sadness that we share news today of the death of one of our serving police dogs who died yesterday."

Chief Inspector Mark Colquhoun said: "Five-year-old police dog Ivy was on duty at the time of her death. She arrived at work with her handler but had not participated in any activity.

"Ivy was in a purpose-designed climate controlled police vehicle with another dog. She was discovered to be unresponsive and immediate medical care was provided by her handler. "Consequently she was taken to the local vets where she sadly passed away. The second dog in the vehicle was found not to be in any distress or unwell state.

"As is established practice, a post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of Ivy's death and we are fully investigating the circumstances leading up to her death.

"Our thoughts at this time are with Ivy's handler and our Dogs Section team at this very sad time."

Ivy hit the headlines last year when her handler Sgt David Evans retired after 34 years on the force.

An online petition was signed by more than 130,000 people, after it was set up by Sgt Evans' daughter Jennie to keep the pair together, but the force refused.

Announcing the decision, Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Anthony Bangham, said: "We appreciate that all our handlers form close relationships with the dogs they work with and, understandably, many want to continue that relationship when they retire.

"Sometimes, at the end of the dog's working life, we are able to facilitate this but we always have to consider the needs of the dog and the force at the time, and to meet our obligation to spend public funds wisely and ensure best value from all our resources.

"Although the dogs live with their handlers and have close relationships with them, they are not family pets. They belong to the force and are highly valued resources.

"PD Ivy is very young and has many years service ahead of her. She will therefore stay with the force and be re-handled with another officer."