MEET

RPD Ted

Breed of dogSpringer Spaniel

Location of servitudeSussex Police

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionPulmonary failure

Grant amount received£1,200

Year of birth to year of death2007 – 2021

  • Retired police dog Ted
  • Police dogs Ted and Shamus
  • Michele with Ted

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG TED IN RETIREMENT

RPD Ted worked with his handler, Michele Innes, and his partner, Labrador Shamus, for nine years as a search and detection dog with Sussex Police.

The trio were stationed at Gatwick Airport where they worked hard to keep travellers and aircraft safe, as well as being deployed at large events. 

Michele said: “One of the most memorable jobs the three of us worked on was the closure of the airport in 2017 following the French bombings, when we also arrested a man with a firearm and a hoax device.”

Michele, who served the police for 30 years spending 25 years with the dog unit, now works in the police control room.

Police dogs Ted and Shamus
Michele with Ted

She said: “Ted and Shamus were both by my side until my retirement in February 2019 when the three of us all retired together.”

Springer spaniel Ted went deaf and was losing his eyesight as he got older.

He needed end-of-life care following pulmonary failure – where the lungs are unable to function properly – and we paid for his regular medication until he passed away in October 2021. He sadly collapsed at home and went into heart failure so had to be put to sleep.

Michele said the charity was a huge support for her with two retired police dogs to pay for, adding: “Without the help of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, I’d have struggled to cope.”

Retired police dog Ted

IN MEMORY OF

RPD TED 2007-2021

“Ted was almost 11 when he retired and had spent almost his whole life working with me; an incredible achievement.” – Michele

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