Police dog saves handler from shovel-wielding arsonist in Hull

A police dog saved his handler from a shovel-wielding arsonist who was trying to burn down a Hull flat to avoid arrest, in a dramatic confrontation last July that ended with the attacker in custody and both officers unharmed.

PC Tom Marsden and his dog, PD Yoiko, arrived at the residence in East Yorkshire as officers sought to apprehend a man who had barricaded himself inside a pitch-black, smoke-filled room and had already set fire to items in an attempt to escape.

The building was described as chaotic, with broken windows and a floor packed with debris as officers surrounding the flat tried to engage the suspect, who was aggressive and threatening toward everyone nearby. Eyewitness accounts and body-worn footage show the team entering the apartment with blue lights flashing, working through the wreckage to reach the darkened hallway where the man was holed up.

Inside the room, the suspect had blocked the doorway with a bed frame and attacked at officers with a large gardening shovel as they moved to detain him. Marsden shouted commands through the smoke at the door, warning the man to come out or the dog would be deployed. The resident retorted with threats, spitting, and then swung the shovel in an attempt to strike both Marsden and Yoiko. In the darkness and smoke, Yoiko leapt to shield his handler as the shovel came down, allowing Marsden to block the blow and stabilize the situation until the suspect could be restrained.

Marsden later described the moment as one where visibility was near zero: the room was pitch black and filled with smoke, making it almost impossible to see. He said that Yoiko’s instinct to protect him in such conditions was what helped avert a worse outcome, noting that the shovel could have caused fatal injuries if it had connected with the dog. The confrontation culminated in the offender being taken to the ground and arrested after officers subdued him.

The man was charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, arson with intent, common assault, and affray. He later received a four-year prison sentence. The incident, lasting only minutes but unfolding amid intense danger, highlighted the risks frontline officers face and the crucial role their police dogs play in protective teamwork during high-stakes operations.

For their bravery, Marsden and Yoiko were recognized with the Outstanding Bravery Award at the Thin Blue Paw Awards in London. Deputy Chief Constable Sarah Baker praised the pair for their courage and professionalism in a volatile situation, saying they had acted decisively to protect fellow officers, the public, and the suspect. The force noted it was incredibly proud of the duo and stressed that the award serves as a reminder of the dangers officers routinely confront while keeping communities safe.

The Thin Blue Paw Awards highlighted other acts of bravery as well, including Durham Police’s PC Dan Cuthbertson and PD Louie, who helped capture one of the UK’s worst drunk drivers. The ceremony also honored a range of canine teams from across the country, including a lifetime achievement for Surrey Police dog Fiji and a Lifesaver Award for a Cleveland Police dog team who helped rescue a missing man on their first shift. In addition, Leicestershire Police’s PC Leandra McCurry and Surrey Police’s PC Marissa Barwell were recognized for their dedication to canine partnership work. The recognition underscores the growing appreciation for working dogs and their handlers in law enforcement and public safety across the United Kingdom.