A TALENTED Police Dog (PD) has been forced to retired from his unit unexpectedly this week.

PD Kratos has enjoyed a short but successful career with colleagues at the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Unit.

The team is a collaboration between North Wales Police and Cheshire Constabulary to provide general purpose, firearms support and specialist search dogs.

These furry friends support officers' ranging policing activities – from tackling serious and organised crime to helping bring vulnerable people back to a place of safety.

This week, PD Kratos has been 'medically retired', the unit has said.

This will allow him to live a 'full, happy and normal life', outside of the force they added.

A statement from the Cheshire and North Wales Police Dogs Unit read: "With a heavy heart, we announce the early retirement of PD Kratos who has unexpectedly this week been medically retired from our Dog Alliance.

"Whilst his condition has sadly cut short his career as a police dog, he is thankfully able to live a full, happy and normal life and enjoy his long retirement for years to come.

"In his all too short career, PD Kratos made numerous arrests of serious criminals, assisted in saving lives, and protected his handler and human colleagues from coming to harm. We thank PD Kratos for his service to the communities of North Wales and Cheshire."