Pets

New Zealand police introduce very special new recruit

Meet Constable Elliot.
Constable Elliot

Constable Elliot

Constable Elliot

The New Zealand Police have come up with an inventive way to spread their message about road speed – even hiring a new cadet for the campaign.

Constable Elliot is a guinea pig on a mission to educate drivers about safe driving, reminding them of their responsibility to keep others out of danger.

Introduced over Easter, Constable Elliot made another appearance on the force’s Facebook page this week, with the caption:

“Did you know that a piggie’s top speed can be around 9km/hr? Not me, I have gone a bit overboard on the carbs lately and need to lighten up, so I go even slower. I am not too fast and that’s the way I like it – slow is safe!

“Keep this in mind when you are driving near any schools tomorrow. Remember people, the kids are going to be out and about walking and biking, and crossing roads. Like me, they are small and unpredictable, so you have to watch out!

“Keep an eye out for school patrols and please do your part in keeping our kids safe. Drive to the conditions, reduce your speed and stay alert. Oh, and eat your greens….always eat your greens.”

The post has always received thousands of likes and shares, and has even made it across the globe to newspapers in the UK.

But for anyone worrying that this little guinea may be exploited for human gain, police officers have assured the public that he’s completely “pampered.”

“According to his human ‘mum’ he’s pampered, and loves going on trips to explore new food supplies, which is what he was doing yesterday. He loves being patted and carried and can spend a while being cuddled on laps.”

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