COCAINE SNORTING 'KILLS SNIFFER DOG'

A police sniffer dog who helped to nail a host of cocaine smugglers has
died from nose cancer -- amid fears it was caused by his work.

Max the springer spaniel spent seven years sniffing out drugs for the Avon
and Somerset force.

He had to retire when hit with crippling arthritis in his hips, after
which he was fitted with chariot-style wheels on his hind quarters.

Max, aged nine, was diagnosed with nose cancer two months ago -- and had
to be put down earlier this week.

Insp Anne Higgins, 44, looked after Max with partner and fellow inspector
Mike Ashwin. She said: "It's ironic the wonderful organ that made him
successful in his work has been his demise.

"It may or may not have been connected to what he used to do. He had a
good life and a successful one -- just think of all the bad people he
put away."

Mike said: "It's one of those things dogs get whether they are working or
not. The thing to remember with spaniels who are sniffer dogs is that
their noses are highly complex pieces of kit.

"Any sniffer dog's nose is very likely to get diseased or infected because
they are using it all the time. It's their main organ."

Max's cancer badly affected his facial bones.

And Kate Fairclough, the dog's vet since 2006, said sniffing cocaine
"could well have been a factor". She added: "I cannot rule it out."

An Avon and Somerset spokeswoman said: "Max will be sadly missed."