Finn and David Wardell are both recovering after the attack Pic: Hertfordshire Police

A Lewisham teenager has denied stabbing a police dog and his handler during a chase for an alleged armed robbery earlier this month.

Police Constable David Wardell and his dog Finn had been chasing the suspect, following a call from a taxi firm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire reporting a driver being robbed on October 4.

Wardell suffered a hand injury while Finn received a severe stab wounds to his head and chest.

The attack prompted a petition, called Finn’s Law, calling for UK police dogs and horses to be given the same protection as officers, after the stabbing was charged as criminal damage instead of actual bodily harm.

The petition has hit 100,000 signatures and it was reported yesterday that MPs will debate the law.

The 16-year-old has denied causing actual bodily harm to PC Wardell and criminal damage to the dog.

He admitted to further charges of possessing an article with a blade or sharp point and possessing a BB gun at a hearing at Stevenage Magistrate’s Court.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will next appear for trial at a youth court on January 5.

Finn is reportedly recovering well after receiving emergency medical attention at a vets.

PC Wardell has had Finn since he was a nine-month-old puppy. He thanked the public for their kind response and the many gifts that Finn had been sent.

He said: “He’s a lot brighter than he was and he’s starting to get cheeky, so he’s starting to get back to his old self.”