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More than 120,000 people have signed a petition calling for a police dog to be retired with its veteran handler.

Sgt Dave Evans, 59, is leaving West Mercia Police after 34 years and wants to keep his beloved work dog Ivy.

He has offered to pay the £24,000 it costs to train a police dog - but his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Now an online petition calling for West Mercia Police to reverse its decision has gone viral, with signatures rocketing from 40,000 to more than 120,000 over the weekend.

The campaign has also been acknowledged by Owen Patterson, Sgt Evans' local MP, who has written to the Superintendent of West Mercia Constabulary's Shropshire Division, on a number of constituents' behalf.

(Image: Jennie Evans / SWNS)

Jennie Evans, Sgt Evans' daughter, said: "I can't believe how much support there is out there for us. It's amazing.

"I know we have a long way to go, but from the very bottom of our hearts, we as a family want to thank everyone for their support and for the literally thousands of messages of love that are being sent to us every day now, online."

For the past four years, Sgt Evans and Ivy have spent their lives together, whether it is tackling violent and dangerous criminals at work, or enjoying endless walks together in the Shropshire countryside.

He has offered to fund the training of a new police dog, but the suggestion has been rejected by the force.

(Image: PA)

Jacob Windsor, a freelance journalist leading the campaign, said: "The family confirms Sgt Evans asked his bosses to name their price, saying he would pay whatever was necessary for Ivy, but he was completely ignored.

"The family and supporters still want to know why the Chief Constable is bringing public funds into this fight. Sgt Evans made the offer to buy Ivy, he doesn't want a taxpayer freebie."

Sgt Evans, from Market Drayton, Shropshire, is unable to publicly discuss the situation, due to him remaining a police officer.

However, he is now bringing forward his retirement to campaign publicly, meaning he will lose PD Ivy in the next few days.