Hard working police dogs eventually retire from public service, but have you ever wondered what happens to them next? Read on to find out how a few of these valued four-legged friends have coped...
Police dogs are trained to be obedient, controlled and sensible, and spend their working life fighting crime and helping to keep our streets safe. These powerful and loyal animals are sometimes forced to retire early due to illness or injury, but on the whole, most dogs retire at around the age of eight or nine years old.
When the time comes for the dog to retire it can be very emotional, especially for the dog and its handler who would have formed an incredible bond. Yet, the welfare of the dog always comes first. Wherever the dog goes, be it staying with the handler or moving onto a new family willing to give the dog a perfect retirement, the owner takes on the responsibility for caring for the dog and the financial implications associated with that.
Due to their age, nature of their training and intense lives with the emergency services, it can be very expensive to insure the dogs and most insurance companies are not willing to cover pre-existing issues.
While the Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner gives the retired dogs a one-off payment as a ‘licence to chill’, to help with food and veterinary care, this doesn’t last long.
To help enrich the lives of these valued animals and enable them to benefit from a high level of care, three police dog handlers namely Vikki Ritchie, Andi Darbey and Steve Dutton along with the help of Police staff member Nicola Skelley, formed Pawsome Pensions in May 2018, which was later awarded charitable status.
The charity supports police dogs from Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, and fire dogs from Devon and Somerset in their retirement by assisting with the cost of their health and veterinary treatment.
Pawsome Pensions dog handler, Andi Darbey, explains that the charity has gone from strength to strength in under four years and that, currently, there are 39 retired police dogs on their books.
Eleven of the dogs live within the East Devon and Exeter areas and several have received specialist medical care. Retired Police Dog (RPD) Bodie, who during his working career was nominated for a bravery award sadly suffers from mouth cancer and ear infections. So far, Pawsome Pensions has paid £1934 for his treatments. Another East Devon dog, RPD Boris needed treatment for stomach issues which cost £1274 and RPD Annie required medication for a skin condition amounting to £128. These bills were picked up by Pawsome Pensions.
Andi explains that another dog, RPD Riggs, retired at five years old after policing the East Devon area. Prior to retirement, he required major surgery on his right knee due to ligament damage which was paid for by the Police.
He also needed the same operation on his left leg, but ever since he retired there wasn't any financial support available from the Police.
Andi said: "This is where Pawsome Pensions has been able to step in. The charity funded the operation to ensure Riggs gets the best veterinary care. He is now four weeks post-operation and is doing well. Soon he will be able to go for gentle lead walks in the next phase of recovery."
To find out more or to see how you can help this deserving charity, visit www.pawsomepensions.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here