Portrait honours hero dog Anya (From Swindon Advertiser)

Portrait honours hero dog Anya

5:55pm Sunday 13th January 2008 in

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A DOG-lover gripped by the story of a German shepherd stabbed in the line of duty has decided to paint her portrait.

Judi Jones, a part-time artist, picked up her brushes after reading about hero police dog Anya in the Adver.

Anya, pictured left, was knifed in the chest as she saved the life of her partner PC Neil Sampson.

Judi, a 51-year-old administrator from Liden, says the dog's loyalty and her photo, which reminded her of her old dog Bruno, inspired her to get out her paints.

She said: "The story brought back the emotion of when we had to have our own dog put down a few years ago.

"The way Anya looked in the photo was so special, it wasn't an aggressive look, just one of compassion and loyalty.

"I said to my husband look at this picture - it is perfect.

"I immediately knew I would be painting a portrait of Anya when I saw the front page.

"German shepherds are such wonderful dogs. They have such a special personality.

"Often you don't have to give a command, they can feel your mood and what needs to be done.

"I feel that is what happened here. Anya knew her handler was in danger and realised what could occur if she didn't step in.

"She obviously knew that instinctively and felt she needed to protect her partner."

The two-and-a-half-year-old dog and PC Sampson were wounded on January 3 in Briarswood Court, Liden.

She was attacked after sinking her teeth into an assailant who was stabbing her partner, PC Neil Sampson, in the head.

The man then plunged his blade through her chest and lung.

Mrs Jones, who has been painting since she was 11, says she hopes to pay tribute to the dog and plans to present PC Sampson with the portrait in two weeks' time.

She added: "I want to pay my respects to this dog, the owner and their relationship in the best way I know how.

"I was so touched by the story and some of Mr Sampson's words. My favourite was when he said that he thought he loved Anya before, but now he worships her."