EVERY dog has its day - and what a day it was for Ceaser [corr] the crime-fighting pooch.

With the help of his handler PC Christopher Bushnell he managed catch a burglar and two poachers, track down a man suspected of committing domestic abuse and find a missing person, all in one nightshift.

In recognition of their busy day and the hard work they do for Thames Valley Police both PC Bushnell and his four-year-old companion were honoured at the Joint Operation Unit (JOU) Commendations Ceremony.

Speaking about the night in November 2015 PC Bushnell said it was all about the luck of being in the right place at the right time.

"It was just a normal late shift covering West Berkshire and Reading and initially we got a call to some poachers spotted in a nearby estate.

"We were nearby and that's what you need to get results like this."

Locking on to the scent trail left behind Ceaser led his handler through fields, roads, rivers and a bridge before locating the two men hiding in bushes.

Although no force was used on that night the dogs are carefully conditioned to ensure suspects do not get away.

PC Bushnell, 49, said: "Once they locate the person they will bark and that will escalate if necessary.

"If they run off the dogs are trained to chase after them and bite them and detain them.

"There are not many people who would argue with 40 kilos of German Shepherd with 42 teeth - we call it the ultimate compliance tool."

After back up officers assisted with arresting the poachers PC Bushnell and his trusty pal head on to their next call to an elderly woman who disturbed a burglary in progress at her home in Reading.

Despite heading out and successfully locating a missing person in between jobs Ceaser was still able to pick up the burglar's scent and track him down to nearby house before scooping up a man who had assaulted a woman at her home.

PC Bushnell praised the work of his companion and said their work only succeeds thanks to months of specialist training.

First raised with a host family for nine to 12 months the puppies selected by the force are then paired with a handler for three months' rigorous coaching before the dogs are then assessed ahead of their first jobs in the field.

Living together at the PC's Newbury home he said the relationship between dog and handler was a unique bond and added: "We'd die for each other, it's as simple as that."

Receiving their honour courtesy of Chief Superintendent Lucy Hutson of the JOU she said: "The recipients of these awards are the ones whose actions have stood out for special recognition and I feel a great sense of admiration and gratitude towards those involved."