MEET

RPD Martha

Breed of dogSpringer Spaniel

Location of servitudeSouth Wales Police

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionHeart failure

Grant amount received£900

Year of birth to year of death2011 – 2023

  • Retired police dog Martha sits with her tongue out
  • Retired police dog Martha holds a toy
  • Retired police dog Martha showing off her toy

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG MARTHA

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What was working life like for Martha?

“Martha was handled by our son and he tells us she was very good at her job. She was trained as an explosives dog.”

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What was retirement like for Martha?

“She transitioned to retirement really well; you’d think she’d always been with us. She loved cuddling up in her basket at night with her toys and her blanket, and she was always getting up to mischief in the garden, running through the mud and then running into the house!”

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What was Martha like as a pet?

“We could sum Martha up in one word: fun! She was the most loving dog we’ve ever encountered. She had an adorable smile; it was impossible to be cross with her even when she was being mischievous.”

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Tell us a funny story about Martha…

“When we had visitors Martha would always show off – she’d run around the garden biting the heads off all of our flowers!” 

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG MARTHA IN RETIREMENT

Retired police dog Martha showing off her toy

RPD Martha trained with West Midlands Police before moving to South Wales Police to work as a trained explosives detection dog for six years. 

When she retired in 2021 she was adopted by her handler’s parents, Michael and Caroline Bowen, who also took on his general purpose dog, German Shepherd Van. 

Martha found the transition very easy and was a fun-loving dog who loved to run around the garden and cause mischief by day, but cuddle up in her basket at night.

Michael said: “The Thin Blue Paw helped us immensely at the end as we’re both retired and couldn’t afford the vet bills; we’ll always be thankful.” 

The Bowens registered Martha with us and we supported them when she fell ill. 

Sadly, Martha passed away at the age of 12 in October 2023 after she went into heart failure.

Just eight months later, RPD Van passed away from cancer leaving the family heartbroken.  

Retired police dog Martha sits with her tongue out
Retired police dog Martha holds a toy

IN MEMORY OF

RPD MARTHA 2011-2023

“It was so heartbreaking losing Martha and Van – they had both become such big parts of our lives and were incredible dogs that will never leave our hearts.” – Michael

POLICE DOG MEMORIAL ROLL OF HONOUR

FULL ROLL OF HONOUR

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