A POLICE SERVICE NORTHERN IRELAND DOG HANDLER HAS RAISED ALMOST £6,000 IN MEMORY OF HER LATE DOG, RPD DINO, FOR THE CHARITY THAT SUPPORTED HIM.

Issued on 10th June 2021

Belgian Malinois Dino was seven when he retired in August 2020 due to lumbosacral (spinal) problems. He’d spent his whole life working with his handler* across Northern Ireland. 

She said: “During this career, Dino helped to catch burglars, worked at public events and sports games, traced missing people and found property. He took part in lots of community events and in the regional police dog trials in 2018.

“He was the smallest dog on the force and was affectionately nicknamed the Pocket Rocket! He was such a little live wire, always full of enthusiasm. He was a real joy to work!”

Once retired, Dino returned to live with his handler and her other police dog, PD Daphne. But, sadly, it wasn’t to last. 

“Unfortunately, just three weeks after he retired he fell gravely ill and I rushed him to the emergency vets,” she said. “Sadly, there wasn’t anything they could do for him and, suffering from sepsis, he was put to sleep. He is very much missed by me and by everyone who knew him.

“The Thin Blue Paw Foundation stepped in, without hesitation, and covered the full amount for Dino’s treatment. This went a huge way to helping me during, what was, a desperately sad time.”

She decided she wanted to give something back to the charity that had helped her and her beloved Dino. She said: “I designed a special t-shirt, using the Thin Blue Paw Foundation logo, and ordered 100 to sell on. They disappeared in hours so I launched a force-wide sale of t-shirts. Over five months I sold around 900 t-shirts and raised £5,847.50 for the charity. 

“I was absolutely blown away by the response from police officers and staff within PSNI. I couldn’t have done it without them and I was so glad to be able to give something back to the charity; the organisation is doing such amazing work.”

Notes to editors: 

For journalists who would like further press information, images or interview requests please email press@thinbluepaw.org.uk. 

Please credit in full when referencing the charity name. Thin Blue Paw Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales: 1190959. 

About the Thin Blue Paw Foundation: 

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is a national dog welfare charity which protects, celebrates and rehabilitates both serving and retired police dogs from across the United Kingdom. The Foundation was founded by a group of individuals who are passionate about improving the health and welfare of serving and retired police dogs across the United Kingdom. 

Many people are unaware that retired police dogs do not receive financial support in their retirement from the force they served with, meaning the responsibility for their care and vet bills fall solely to their ex-handler or new owner. Unable to get pet insurance due to their working life, many are left with ongoing vet bills which can amount to thousands. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation provides much needed financial support to over 200 unsung canine heroes and their owners to enable them to have a long and happy retirement.