Scamp, a hard working springer spaniel has been named the Institute’s Hero in the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Hero Awards 2019, nominated by City of Wolverhampton Council.

The award celebrates a trading standards professional who has gone above and beyond their duty and whose commitment has ensured vital work has been completed or whose perseverance has served their community.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team has worked with BWY Canine since 2014 and have had countless successes in their search for hidden tobacco.

In Wolverhampton, over half a million illegal cigarettes and 50K hand-rolling tobacco has been sniffed out by Scamp - totalling to an estimated value of £400,000.

Today, colleagues at the City of Wolverhampton Council gathered to congratulate Scamp and his dog handler, Stuart Phillips from BWY Canine on winning the award. 

Paul Dosanjh, Service Lead for Trading Standards at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “I’m so pleased Scamp has won a national award in recognition of the amazing work he does - not only in Wolverhampton but all over the UK.
“We work with Scamp and BWY Canine as part of our ongoing operation to tackle the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco. Scamp has been out with our team numerous times and found tobacco in concealed in basements, false walls, under floor boards, counters and even light fittings. 
“All the dogs at BWY Canine never fail to amaze me and I think it’s fair to say that without the detection skills of Scamp, it is highly likely that some of the finds would not have been made.”

Stuart Phillips, Scamp’s owner and Dog Handler at BWY Canine Ltd said: “I work with lots of council’s all over the UK and Wolverhampton Trading Standards is certainly one of the best teams to work with.

“All my dogs do a fantastic job and still manage to surprise me after all the years I have worked with them and all their successes. 

“I’m so proud of Scamp – the fact he has been recognised for a national trading standards award is amazing. He’s an absolute honour to work with - I spend every day working with my dogs and I truly believe there is no better job in the world.”

During the short presentation, the council showcased some of Scamp’s ‘best bits’ captured on video and the shared some of the successes carried out by BWY Canine and Wolverhampton Trading Standards over the years.