After dedicating 10 years of his life to sniffing out illicit cash, firearms and drugs, springer spaniel Snoopy says farewell to the police and hello to retirement. Reporter Jess Ward meets the energetic hound and his handlers at the place where his career first took off - the ManxSPCA.

At nine-months old, Snoopy was put up for adoption at the ManxSPCA in Foxdale. The reason being that he was ’too crazy’ to handle.

His hyperactivity caught the attention of Jane Gregory, now the assistant site manager at the shelter, who instantly recognised potential for the pup.

’He was basically crazy, totally ball-orientated and everything that Ian Kelly, who was at the time a sergeant at the police dog unit, was looking for,’ she said.

Calling the unit up, she explained to Ian why he should come down and consider Snoopy for a job in paw and order. Meeting the lively dog, Ian agreed he was ’mental for the ball’ and entered him into a training course.

’He took to everything really quickly and his natural drive has made him perfect for the role,’ he said.

From there an agreement was struck between the ManxSPCA and police, that Snoopy would remain in the island.

In 2010 the springer spaniel was licensed as an active detection dog.

Since then he has worked relentlessly to keep the Isle of Man and the people on it safe.

Throughout his life he has had three handlers: Ian, Ray Brondon with his last handler being Saskia Kelly, who is married to Ian.

Last year Snoopy was behind one of the biggest heroin seizures the island has ever seen, with £70,000 worth of the drug being discovered.

’He’s also found massive amounts of cash,’ said Saskia.

The total amount of drugs and cash is unknown - it’s too big to count!

Ian added: ’The amounts are all significant.

’We were really happy if he found something, even it was a small amount.

’It takes the drugs off the streets.’

When the new plastic sterling notes came into circulation Snoopy instantly sniffed them out without having any training, which impressed Saskia and his previous handlers.

Snoopy was also one of the first dogs in the British Isles trained to sniff out ’plant food’, known as Meow Meow or 4MMC, as the island constabulary were pioneers in giving out this type of training.

Ian described Snoopy as being ’hard as nails’ giving an example of when he sliced his leg and chest open on a job and carried on working as though nothing had happened.

’He just bounced back,’ Ian said. ’He’s so resilient.’

If that wasn’t enough to impress you, Snoopy also has on his resume educational visits to support the community plus he has helped keep healthcare, bail and educational premises safe to.

As of this month, Snoopy has been settling into a new lifestyle with his new adoptive parents - who just so happen to be Ian and Saskia!

’I couldn’t let him go. No chance,’ said Ian.

Saskia said: ’He is brilliant and just a bundle of fun.’

The pair believe that all dogs in the unit ’deserve a nice retirement’.

’You never want to say good bye to any of them. We try to keep them if we can or rehome them,’ said Ian.

Retiring more than two years ago, Ian set up K9 X which is a specialist dog training business which helps owners improve their knowledge in becoming a dog handler.

Snoopy is the latest team member who will supply his friendly charm to help dog owners practise their skills.

In order to keep Snoopy, the couple had to pay £250.

Those funds had to remain in government, so K9 X matched the £250 for the ManxSPCA as a thank you for their ’positive involvement in the great story’.

Jane said: ’Snoopy has had an amazing life and career.

’When Saskia and Ian came up it made me think about all the good Snoopy’s done and just one phone call has made a huge difference.’

She added: ’I fell in love with Snoopy. If Ian hadn’t taken him, I certainly would have!’