Russia sends puppy to French police after death of Diesel

RUSSIA is to send a police puppy to France following the death of Diesel, the dog killed in an anti-terror raid in Paris last week.

The puppy, Dobrynya, who will be sent to Paris. Picture: eialeks / Instagram

Russia’s Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev has sent a letter to his opposite number in France, Bernard Cazeneuve, outlining Russia’s support for France in the wake of the attacks that left 130 dead and more than 300 injured.

And as part of that support, the Russians are sending a German Shepherd puppy to succeed Diesel as one of the Police Nationale’s canine officers.

In the letter, Mr Kolokoltsev writes: “I assure you of our readiness to co-operate against crime and terrorism.

Diesel was killed as French police stormed a flat in an anti-terror raid. Picture: Contributed

“The puppy is called Dobrynya, after a Russian epic knight who is a symbol of strength, kindness, bravery and selfless help.

“We are sending this puppy as a sign of solidarity with the French people and police in the fight against terrorism.”

The French police tweeted that Diesel, a seven-year-old Belgian Shepherd dog, had been killed as raids were carried out in the northern Parisien suburb of Saint-Denis targeting Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the man thought to have planned the attacks in the French capital.

The death of the heroic Diesel led to an outpouring of support and gratitude for the dog, with hashtags including #JeSuisDiesel and #JeSuisChien (I am dog) trending in the aftermath.