THE latest four-legged additions to the West Midlands Police family are looking for temporary homes.

The six-week-old cocker spaniels have been named Harry, Ron, Dobby, Albus, Hermione and Ginny after 2,000 people voted for them to have Harry Potter themed names via the force's Twitter account.

As the little K9 students are almost ready to leave 'Hogwarts' and go out into the big wide world to socialise, the force is on the hunt for temporary homes for the pups as part of their early life socialisation programme.

Dudley News:

Puppy walkers will be responsible for homing their puppy, caring for their needs and crucially, helping them to socialise with people and other dogs.

Anybody over 18 can apply to be a puppy walker, if they have the time to look after the puppy and provide plenty of play time to allow it to develop within a happy, carefree environment.

Dudley News:

At six months old, the puppies go through to the crucial six month assessment stage of their training back at the Dog Unit in Balsall Common to see if they have what it takes to become fully operational, effective police dogs.

If successful, they return to their puppy walkers for another few months before undergoing the final assessment stage and being assigned to a police handler ready to begin serious training.

To find out more about becoming a puppy walker, email breedscheme@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk