TWO Hampshire fire dogs will give their paws a rest after 126 dog years of loyal service.

Labradors Saxon and Inca have helped to put dozens of criminals behind bars through their ability to sniff minute traces of flammable liquids used to start fires.

The dogs have attended more than 500 incidents for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

But now Saxon, aged 11, and sister Inca, aged 10, will retire from active duty.

Fire investigator Graham Howlett, the dogs’ handler, said: “It’s a pleasure to work with such talented lovely-natured dogs and I’m so proud of what they have achieved.

“We have done jobs where the evidence they have found has been instrumental in getting a conviction. It’s always nice to know that criminals wouldn’t have been brought to justice without our work.”

Fire investigation dogs are trained to work out how fires started by using their advanced sense of smell.

It is said that Saxon and Inca’s sense of smell is so strong that they can detect a single drop of petrol from around 100metres away.

Mr Howlett added: “Dogs noses are the ideal sensor, they are so reliable and accurate it cuts down the amount of samples that need to be taken and sent away for expensive forensic analysis.”

The service won’t be left without detective dogs because Spaniels Millie and Ruby and Border Collie Harvey will carry on their work.

Fire Investigation Station Manager Damian Watts said: “Combining the skills of experienced fire investigators with those of a highly trained canine and handler has undoubtedly equipped Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service with a search team that speeds up the process of ignitable liquid detection providing the much needed evidence in the war against arson.”