Simon Cowell appears on the brink of tears as a policeman and the dog who was stabbed saving his life appear on the latest episode of Britain’s Got Talent.
The judge said “it breaks my heart” as he heard the story of German shepherd Finn and his handler Pc Dave Wardell.
The service animal was stabbed with a 10-inch blade after he jumped between Pc Wardell and an offender wielding a knife.
Finn suffered serious stab wounds to the chest and head but did not let go until reinforcements arrived, and was initially thought unlikely to survive.
The duo appeared on the talent show to perform an act in which Finn relays words chosen by the judges to his handler.
During the performance, a video about Finn’s story is shown, including pictures of the injuries he suffered and his recovery from surgery.
Pc Wardell also told the judges about the progress of Finn’s Law, an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which aims to protect service dogs and horses.
The Bill removes a section of the current law of self-defence often used by those who harm a service animal while committing a crime.
After the audition, Cowell tells them: “A dog will literally give up his life for you and for anyone who has been cruel to an animals or a dog, just remember if you had treated him well he would have put his life up ahead of you.”
Other acts hoping to impress the judges on the show include nine-year-old dancer Ethan Higgins, from Dublin, rollerblading duo Rosie and Adam and ten-year-old singing schoolgirl Giorgia Borg from Malta.
Britain’s Got Talent is on ITV at 8pm.