'Much-loved' fire investigation dog Dexter dies

A "much-loved" fire investigation dog who served communities across the East Midlands for seven years, has died.

Dexter, a cocker spaniel, started his training at just 16 weeks old and went on to become known as the service's "busiest fire investigation dog", Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said.

Both Dexter and his dog handler Dave Coss retired from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) in 2022, but returned to working for the fire service in Nottinghamshire after a short break.

In a statement confirming Dexter's passing, NFRS said he was "not only an incredibly skilled working dog but also a much-loved character who brought joy to everyone who met him".

Throughout his time in service, Dexter attended about 200 incidents each year to help investigators determine the causes of fires across the East Midlands.

Hiring him at 16 weeks old was a risk, but he passed his probation, Coss previously told the BBC.

In an earlier interview, Coss said: "Initially we didn't think he was going to make it.

"He wasn't interested in tennis balls and he's trained to find tennis balls, and then we finally got him going with a squeaky ball, so his nickname became search dog Squeaky for that reason."

Dexter would wear PPE, including protective shoes to keep his paws from injury, to investigate scenes following fires.

When Dexter hung up his protective boots from DFRS in 2022, Coss - who has spent 26 years working as a dog handler - said the pooch would join him and his family at home.

NFRS said Dexter's and Coss's return to work was a "testament to their dedication to the fire service and the work they cared so deeply about".

Dexter formally retired in 2023, the service said.

Following his death, Coss said: "I've been really touched by all the support and kind messages.

"It shows just how much people care – not just in Nottinghamshire but right across the fire service family. I didn't realise how many lives Dexter had touched."

Coss will continue supporting fire investigations with his other dog, Ginny, alongside Tim and Barney and the wider fire investigation teams across the East Midlands.

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