{"id":1491,"date":"2026-05-09T14:17:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T14:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/police-dogs-should-get-pensions-as-reward-for-a-life-of-fighting-crime\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T14:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T14:17:18","slug":"police-dogs-should-get-pensions-as-reward-for-a-life-of-fighting-crime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/police-dogs-should-get-pensions-as-reward-for-a-life-of-fighting-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Police dogs should get pensions as reward for a life of fighting crime&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_5699b0\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Campaigners are calling for police dogs to receive pensions to help cover the costs of treatment after a hard life sniffing out criminals &#8211; with money coming from the Proceeds of Crime Act<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133827\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ex-police dog Jess sitting on grass\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Jess1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Police dog Jess, 10, who served in Northern Ireland, is one of 1,700 working dogs serving across the  UK's 45 police forces\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Police dog Jess, 10, who served in Northern Ireland, is one of 1,700 working dogs serving across the  UK&#8217;s 45 police forces<cite aria-label=\"Image: Supplied\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Supplied)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Police dogs deserve pensions in recognition of a life spent sniffing out criminals, say campaigners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Around 100 retire every year out of 1,700 working across the UK\u2019s 45 police forces. But some leave with <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/lifestyle\/health\/facts-arthritis-how-you-can-6416990\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">arthritis<\/a>, ligament damage or hip dysplasia leaving owners who have adopted them facing hefty vet bills as a result of their strenuous working lives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is pressing the Government to introduce mandatory financial assistance for police <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/teamdogs\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">dogs<\/a> when they hang up their service badges from the Proceeds of Crimes Act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Founder Kieran Stanbridge said: \u201cWe have become a lifeline for retired <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/top-10-bravest-police-dogs-23886360\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">police dogs<\/a>, stepping in to help them get the veterinary care and medication they need when their owners aren\u2019t sure how to cover the costs.&#8221;But the Government should be standing by these canine heroes and supporting them in their retirements.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133366\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/animal-bite-infections-surge-after-37133366\" tabindex=\"0\">Animal bite infections surge after Britain&#8217;s lockdown pet boom<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_877b99\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133133\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/battling-dog-survives-two-days-37133133\" tabindex=\"0\">Battling dog survives two days nearly suffocating in thick mud after vanishing<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37133839\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133839\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ex-police dog Captain running through grass\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Captain-new-4.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"German Shepherd Captain, 8, served West Midlands Police for three years but had to retire early after rupturing his cruciate ligament\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">German Shepherd Captain, 8, served West Midlands Police for three years but had to retire early after rupturing his cruciate ligament<cite aria-label=\"Image: Supplied\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Supplied)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cA huge number of police dogs retire with a condition or health problem which has been caused or exacerbated by their tough, physically-demanding job. Surely, after everything they\u2019ve given, they deserve to be taken care of in their older age?\u201d <!-- -->Police dogs are not automatically put down after service, according to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation. Most (around 85%) are adopted by their former handlers or new owners to live out their retirement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, once they have completed their service, owners can find that the costly vet bills to treat any health conditions can often be crippling. <!-- -->Audi, a 10-year-old German Shepherd served with <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/staffordshire-police\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Staffordshire Police<\/a> for six years. He was lucky to survive after he was attacked by a suspect and stabbed twice in the head. <!-- -->He retired in 2024 and was adopted by Katie Wright, 43, from Stafford. But just a few months ago he lost the use of his back legs and, following tests, x-rays, and a referral to a specialist, expert vets have discovered he has enlarged elbows, arthritis in his elbows and hips and spondylosis of the spine.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37133905\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133905\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jess in a field with her tongue out and a tennis ball between her front paws\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Jess2.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Jess helped find more than \u00a31m of goods during her career\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Jess helped find more than \u00a31m of goods during her career<cite aria-label=\"Image: Supplied\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Supplied)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Vets told his family that the problems are common in German Shepherds but the risk is increased by those dogs who have had physically demanding lives &#8211; like police dogs. <!-- -->The tests have cost more than \u00a32,000, and now he needs a course of medication and regular hydrotherapy. Katie turned to the Thin Blue Paw to help with the financial burden of ensuring this canine hero has the best retirement after serving so bravely for so many years. <!-- -->Other dogs helped by the charity include cash, drugs and firearms detection dog Jess, 10, who served for eight years with the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/psni\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Police Service of Northern Ireland<\/a> before retiring earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">During her career, the Labrador helped locate more than \u00a31m worth of goods, including \u00a3500,000 which she found in a secure area she wasn\u2019t even meant to be searching. Now she needs hydrotherapy for arthritis and joint issues. <!-- -->Chaos, 6, had to retire early from <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/west-midlands-police\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">West Midlands Police<\/a> after he was seriously injured when a police firearm was discharged during an incident in Birmingham a year ago. The Belgian Malinois needed major surgery and his injury will need ongoing treatment during his retirement, which is being covered by our Foundation.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37133847\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37133847\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.33\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Captain receiving treatment\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_Captain-scan-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Captain now needs regular hydrotherapy and is building up his strength to undergo major spinal surgery due to damage caused by his job.\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Captain now needs regular hydrotherapy and is building up his strength to undergo major spinal surgery due to damage caused by his job.<cite aria-label=\"Image: Supplied\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Supplied)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">German Shepherd Captain, 8, also served West Midlands Police for three years but had to retire early after rupturing his cruciate ligament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The hero dog now needs regular hydrotherapy and is building up his strength to undergo major spinal surgery due to damage caused by his job. <!-- -->Kieran Standbridge added: \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re calling on the Government to support these dogs financially when they hang up their harness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;A small amount from Proceeds of Crimes Act recoveries could help change the lives of retired police dogs when their careers end; most of these proceeds are recovered by the dogs themselves anyway so it seems fitting to pay some of that back to them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/police-dogs-should-pensions-reward-37133840\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Campaigners are calling for police dogs to receive pensions to help cover the costs of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1492,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778336239_0_Jess1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}