A POLICE dog has died just days after being praised by a judge for tracking down a burglar.

The crime-fighting German Shepherd called Troy held a divisional commendation award along with his handler, PC Mark Lambert.

The pair were expected to be nominated for another this year for their work.

But, last Thursday, five-year-old Troy died. He became ill on Wednesday and was referred to a vet three times in 24 hours.

An operation found he was suffering from a spleen condition and had a tumour on his heart. Attempts to repair the spleen were unsuccessful and Troy could not be saved.

It was only last Monday that Troy's skill and competence as a police dog had been praised – by Judge Michael Stokes QC at Nottingham Crown Court.

Troy and PC Lambert tracked burglar Alan Willetts for two hours as they followed a trail of clothing and discarded property from a burglary in Ashford Rise, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Willetts, 23, of Elder Street, Skegby, was given 21 months in prison after he admitted the break-in.

The court heard he was spending up to £50-a-day on heroin. He was the look-out for the burglary and was to be paid £20. Three men in grey hooded tops were seen in the garden of the house just after midnight on January 2. Wine, Champagne, ornaments and DVDs were put inside two pillow cases.

Willetts, who has convictions for shoplifting, burglary and possession of a weapon, ran off, discarding his gloves and balaclava on the way.

Judge Stokes said PC Lambert and his dog were to be commended.

"No doubt the dog will get an extra bone," he said.

And he told Willetts: "Thanks to PC Lambert and his dog, Troy, you and one of the others were caught."

Inspector Kevin Guise, of Notts Police's dog section, said: "Troy was an excellent police dog and had formed a superb working relationship with his handler in the three-and-a-half years they had been operating together.

"The fact they were being praised in court by a judge is no surprise.

"They had just had one of their best months, with some exemplary tracking work helping us secure some good arrests."

He said Troy had not suffered an injury, but PC Lambert sensed the dog was not well and took him to a vet.

"Spleen conditions are not uncommon in dogs, but sadly there was nothing that could be done for Troy," said Insp Guise.

"We are all devastated by the loss of such a fine dog and our thoughts go out to Mark, to whom Troy was a much-loved companion as well as a colleague."

In July 2009, PC Lambert and Troy responded to reports of a burglary in Bestwood Village in the early hours of morning and successfully tracked three suspects, all of whom were arrested.

rebecca.sherdley@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk