A retired police dog who nearly died after being stabbed by a suspected robber reached the final of Britain's Got Talent with his trusty human.

Finn the German Shepherd and police officer Dave Wardell from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Dog Unit made it all the way to the finals of the talent competition on Sunday (June 2).

In the final, PC Wardell showed Finn’s skills as a magician where one of his tricks included picking a card which would later be chosen by judge David Walliams.

Colin Thackery was crowned the winner of the show on Sunday.

Finn retired in March 2017 due to his stabbing injuries.

In October 2016, PC Wardell released Finn to detain a suspected robber in Stevenage. The suspect jumped over a fence, but Finn was able to take hold of his leg.

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At that point, the suspect lunged at both of them and brutally stabbed Finn in the head and chest while Dave received an injury to his hand.

Finn only let go of the suspect until other officers arrived and he was arrested.

Finn protected Dave but almost died from his injuries and after a recovery, the German Shepherd returned to work 11 weeks later.

PC Wardell said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the public support for us and I would like to thank everyone who voted for us, I can’t believe how far we have come.

“At the heart of this journey for myself and Finn has always been to show the nation just how important all of our service animals are and to promote the importance of Finn’s Law.

“This has been a truly amazing experience. I have met some brilliant, talented and humble people along the way, and it is something I will never forget.

“I genuinely cannot thank those people enough who have supported us along the way, we wouldn’t be where we are without a strong team behind us.”

In 2017 North East Hertfordshire MP Oliver Heald brought the Animal Services Bill (Finn’s Law) to Parliament and following a strong campaign by Dave and Finn, it was given Royal Assent in April this year.

The law gives protection to service dogs and horses by making it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to a service animal.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Fullwood from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Joint Protective Services Command said: “A huge congratulations to Dave and Finn.

“Dave is extremely passionate about animal welfare and I am so proud they have achieved all they have after being through something so traumatic.

“To make the finals of Britain’s Got Talent is fantastic and they have represented the policing family exceptionally well.

"They truly have captured the hearts of the nation in their quest to shine a light on the great work of our service animals.

“Dave and Finn have been working tirelessly and can now reap the rewards of their efforts in support of service animals.

“We cannot underestimate the significance of the change in law and we look forward to seeing what else they will achieve together.”