Slashed police dog to defend title

Ila, the gutsy police dog which got her nose slashed in the line of duty last month, is well enough to defend her top title at the police national dog championships this week.

The german shepherd's chances of competing were put in doubt when a 42-year-old man swiped at her nose with a knife during a scuffle with police in the Porirua suburb of Camborne on April 20.

She need surgery to repair a deep gash and it was initially feared the injury would end her working life but Ila has made a full recovery.

"She's in great form - it hasn't slowed her down at all," handler Senior Constable Jason Todd told the Sunday Star Times.

The three-day championships will be held at Trentham, Upper Hutt.