Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Charity asks government to fund retired police dogs’ costly care

Keach served with West Midlands Police and Police Scotland and now has arthritis in her spine and knee
Keach served with West Midlands Police and Police Scotland and now has arthritis in her spine and knee
  • The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is appealing to the Government to provide pensions for retired police dogs to alleviate the financial burden on handlers and owners.
  • Since August 2020, the foundation has distributed £380,000 in grants for veterinary expenses, addressing health issues stemming from the dogs' demanding work.
  • Foundation chairman Kieran Stanbridge argues the Home Office has a moral obligation to support these dogs in retirement, given their service and sacrifice.
  • The foundation has launched a petition to push the Government for a ring-fenced budget to support owners of retired police dogs.
  • There are about 1,700 serving police dogs in the UK and about 100 retire each year.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in