MEET

RPD Charlie

Breed of dogSpringer Spaniel

Location of servitudeLeicestershire Police

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionFractured elbow

Grant amount received£6,300

  • Retired police dog Charlie smiles at the camera
  • Retired police dog Charlie after surgery

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG CHARLIE IN RETIREMENT

RPD Charlie, 11, served with Leicestershire Police as a cadaver dog and was trained to find vulnerable missing people as well as traces of bodies.

He joined as a puppy and served for more than seven years until his retirement in October 2019 when he was adopted by Robyn Smith and her family. 

Robyn said: “Charlie was an excellent police dog and even received the Chief Constable’s commendation for bravery award in 2017 after helping police find a vulnerable missing person who was deep in woodland and would have died without prompt medical attention.

“Charlie loves retirement; he loves cuddles and snoozing on his many comfy beds. He’s still ball-obsessed and will try to outrun much younger dogs to get to the ball first; he doesn’t act his age!”

Retired police dog Charlie on a walk
Retired police dog Charlie after surgery

In February 2023 he was playing with his ball when he ran into a bigger dog and injured his leg. His leg was already weak from arthritis following his years of working and vets found he’d previously fractured his leg and it had now re-broken.

He needed surgery to have a small metal plate and five screws fitted to his broken elbow, which we paid for.

Robyn added: “The bill came in at over £6,000 which was a bit of a shock to the whole family. We’re so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation for covering the whole cost.”

The family were thrilled to have Charlie back home to recover from the surgery and, hopefully, he’ll be chasing his ball and joining them on holiday when he’s back on all four paws.

Retired police dog Charlie

“We feel so lucky to have Charlie in our lives and now, thanks to the Thin Blue Paw, we know he’ll have many more years of running and playing fetch.”

Robyn, Charlie’s owner

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