CHARITY
PAY BACK TIME FOR FOUR-LEGGED HEROES
The Thin Blue Paw’s unique national campaign is calling on the Government to recognise the incredible service of police dogs and institute ‘Police Dog Pensions’
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has launched a national campaign urging the Government to introduce financial support for retired police dogs — or what it rightly calls, Police Dog Pensions. The charity, which has been championing the welfare of police dogs since 2020, says it’s time the Government formally recognised the lifelong impact of service on these dogs — and stepped in to support their retirement. Police dogs give the best years of their
lives to public service. They charge into danger, track down criminals, search for missing people, detect drugs, weapons and explosives — all with unwavering loyalty. Yet when the time comes to retire, they are left with no state support. Often carrying the physical and emotional scars of frontline work, their veterinary needs can be complex and costly. But once their shift ends for good, the financial burden falls squarely on the shoulders of their handler or new adoptive family. “We believe that’s wrong,” says Kieran
Stanbridge, Chairman of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation. “Police dogs throw themselves into
dangerous situations without a second thought. They serve with distinction, yet the moment they hang up their harness, they’re on their own. It’s their ex- handlers who must foot the bill for costly treatments, operations and medication — and the Government washes its hands of responsibility. That has to change.” The growing burden of care
54 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2025
There are currently around 1,700 police dogs serving across the UK’s 45 police forces. Every year, around 100 retire. These dogs often develop arthritis, ligament damage, hip dysplasia, PTSD- like symptoms, or require specialist surgery — all consequences of their high- intensity working lives. Yet unlike their human counterparts, there is no pension, no aftercare package, and no dedicated fund to support them. Since its inception in August 2020, the Thin Blue Paw Foundation has stepped in to fill this vacuum. To date, it has provided over £380,000 in veterinary and rehabilitation grants to retired police dogs, and now supports more than 300 canine retirees with everything from
hydrotherapy and pain relief to life- saving surgeries. One example is PD Astro, a retired
German Shepherd from West Midlands Police. After a career confronting violent offenders and searching dangerous premises, Astro needed complex joint surgery to maintain his mobility — costing thousands of pounds. The Foundation funded the procedure, ensuring he could live out his retirement free from pain. PD Holly, a Belgian Malinois who
served with Surrey Police, developed severe hip dysplasia after years of operational work. Facing the very real possibility of euthanasia due to the cost of her treatment, she was rescued by Thin Blue Paw’s intervention, which paid
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