A BRAVE police dog has returned to work after being injured in the line of duty.

Zeeke ran through a glass door as he searched for burglars at student halls of residence in Newcastle - leaving deep cuts in his paw.

The Northumbria Police recruit was on duty with handler PC Vicky Lott when they were deployed to a report of a burglary at Henderson Hall and Zeeke was sent to track down the intruders.

The Northern Echo: PD Tyne and PD Zeeke during recuperation

PD Tyne and PD Zeeke during recuperation

But in his eagerness to catch the thieves he ran straight through a glass fire door and caused deep lacerations to his front left paw.

A further search of the building found the burglars had already made off after stealing copper boilers from the top floors of the property.

Zeeke was taken to the vets following the incident on January 7 and was stitched up, with orders to take a prolonged rest by the fire.

The three-year-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois cross has now had his cast removed and will be back on the streets this week.

PC Lott said: “Zeeke has definitely enjoyed his time lounging by the fire but I can tell he is itching to get back on the street.

“When he is not working he would come back home with me anyway and he is very much part of my family which means he has been well looked after.

“He had to get a few stitches to his left paw and he has been limping around a bit gingerly as he has had to have a big cast so he doesn’t nibble at the dressing.

“His friend PD Tyne is one of our sniffer dogs and also lives at home with me and I think she has been getting a bit jealous of all the attention Zeeke has been getting”,