West Midlands police dog handler back on the job after being impaled on a metal spike

Pc Dan Thomas and canine sidekick Gil were tracking a man through gardens in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, when the officer slipped, scaling an eight-foot fence.

A three-pronged spike − on a school perimeter near Langley Hall Drive − tore through his bicep, causing him to suffer major blood loss on December 30.

But the West Midlands Police officer managed to pull himself free and chase down the suspected motorbike thief.

The suspect was arrested moments later but Pc Thomas fell unconscious, later needing surgery and 15 stitches to help heal the wound.

He has since made a speedy recovery and is now eager to hit the streets and continue protecting the public with two-year-old German Shepherd Gil.

Pc Thomas, who has served with the force for 16 years, said: "Gil has been bored silly at home. Because of the close bond between handlers and their dogs, plus licencing guidelines, I couldn’t just hand Gil over to another officer during my recovery - it wouldn’t work.

"I’ve been exercising him every day but it’s not as stimulating, or exciting, for him as working, tracking scents and chasing criminals.

"He’s really chomping at the bit to get back to work; great news for me, but not so great for crooks."

The officer is currently away from the frontline as he rebuilds strength in his arm but hopes to be back with the Sutton Coldfield's response unit by the end of the month.

He paid tribute to police response colleagues at the scene and Good Hope Hospital's nursing staff, who managed to repair his damaged tattoo.

Pc Thomas added: "I had a full arm tattoo not long before the injury - the spike tearing through the design was one of the most upsetting things.

"Thanks to the amazing skills of the hospital staff though I’ve been left with just a hairline scar; it’s hardly visible.

"I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness and support shown to me by the public, it’s really kept my spirits up during the recovery, but I’m no different to any other Blue Light worker who puts themselves in harm’s way to make our communities safer, entering burning buildings or saving people’s lives."

PC Thomas was runner-up in Crufts’ Friends for Life Competition in 2013 after being nominated for his work with former police dog Janus in catching hundreds of crime suspects during his career.