A charity that helps police dogs has called for “doggy pensions” for the service animals once they retire, revealing how it helped one former Humberside Police dog with a life-saving operation.
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation (TBPF) has launched a campaign, pressing the Government to introduce mandatory financial assistance for police dogs when they hang up their service badges. It will mean new owners are not left facing hefty vet bills for dogs who often come with health and medical conditions, due to their strenuous working lives.
Kieran Stanbridge, chairman of TBPF, said: “Police dogs give the best years of their lives to the job. They throw themselves into dangerous situations without a second thought, they show unwavering loyalty to their handler and their job, and they give so much to help fight crime and keep the public safe.
“During their careers they receive the very best care and support from the force they serve with but, as soon as they hang up their harness, they’re on their own, and the responsibility for their often-expensive care falls to their ex-handler or new owner. We believe that the Home Office who allocate funding to police forces nationally have an ethical and moral obligation to these dogs and shouldn’t turn their backs on them when it’s time to pay them back for everything they’ve done.
“That’s why we’ve launched our campaign calling on the Government to introduce measures that ensure all retired police dogs receive support – or doggy pensions – when they retire.” TBPF came to the aid of retired police dog Neo, who had served with Humberside Police as a general purpose dog and was adopted by a fellow officer when he retired in 2018.
(Image: thinbluepaw.org.uk)
Neo’s owner, Rob James, adopted the German Shepherd when he retired at the age of four. As a police officer, he had worked alongside the now nine-year-old and wanted to give him a retirement home.
Rob’s best friend was Neo’s handler so when the opportunity came up he felt he could offer him a new home in East Yorkshire. He said: “Neo loves living in the countryside so he gets long walks and there are lots of places he can swim.
“I now live by the seaside and he absolutely loves going to the beach. He plays like a puppy!” In September 2024, Neo fell ill and was rushed to the vets where he was diagnosed with gastric torsion, a condition where the stomach twists and fills with either gas or fluid.
Neo needed emergency surgery to save his life and Rob contacted TBPF for help. The charity covered the £4,300 cost of the operation.
Rob said: “To my astonishment, the charity said it would step in and, in doing so, saved Neo’s life. Never have I seen such kindness and felt such relief – I’m still beyond words.
(Image: thinbluepaw.org.uk)
“Neo is doing really well after his surgery. I find myself thinking a lot about how life might have turned out if the Foundation hadn’t stepped in to help with the costs of this surgery – I’m so pleased he’s been given a chance.
“I can’t thank the Thin Blue Paw enough for what it’s done for Neo and for our family. I will forever be thankful.”
TBPF rehabilitates, protects and celebrates both serving and retired police dogs across the UK. It has supported more than 150 dogs since it was founded in 2020, providing more than £380,000 in financial aid to the families of retired service dogs.
There are around 1,700 serving police dogs operating across the UK’s 45 police forces, and an estimated 100, on average, retire every year. Urging the public to get behind the TBPF campaign, Kieran said: “Taking on any dog is a responsibility, but taking on an older retired police dog with health problems is a huge commitment, particularly during the current cost of living crisis.
“We need to ensure that there is support in place for these heroic police dogs so that people aren’t put off the idea of rehoming them when they retire and so that owners are never faced with the heart-breaking decision of having them put to sleep because they can’t afford their treatment. Although we’ve worked with insurance companies over the last few years to help them launch special policies that are open to retired police dogs, making it easier for owners to get insurance cover, it’s the Government’s responsibility to offer some ongoing support to these canine heroes once they hang up their harness.”
For more information about the TBPF, visit the website. Details of the petition can be found here and you can also donate to the charity at this link.
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