Much loved fire investigation dog Dexter who served communities across the East Midlands has passed away

Dexter, a Cocker Spaniel, worked alongside his handler Dave Coss, supporting fire investigation teams across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

Dexter joined the team at just 16-weeks-old and, following months of specialist training, came “on the run” in 2015 when he was just over one-year-old.

Over the years that followed, he became known as the busiest fire investigation dog, attending around 200 incidents each year to help investigators determine the causes of fires and support fire and rescue services across the region.

Dave, Dexter's handler, began his career as a firefighter with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1992 and became a dog handler in 2000.

Dexter was Dave’s third fire investigation dog, and together they served communities across the East Midlands for seven years.

In total, Dave has spent 26 years working as a dog handler as part of more than 30 years of service with the fire service.

Dexter worked operationally from 2015 until 2022. Although the pair stepped away from the role briefly, they returned after a short break – a testament to their dedication to the fire service and the work they cared so deeply about.

Dexter formally retired in 2023.

Dave 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.”

Dexter was not only an incredibly skilled working dog but also a much-loved character who brought joy to everyone who met him.

Dave will continue supporting fire investigations with his other dog, Ginny, alongside Tim and Barney and the wider Fire Investigation teams in Nottinghamshire and across the East Midlands.

A Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with Dave and everyone who had the privilege of working with Dexter.”