A retired PSNI dog who started life as a dumped stray in Northern Ireland ,will be able to run and play again after a charity covered the costs of his emergency surgery.
Springer Spaniel Sam, 10, who was rescued from the streets at just a few months old in 2013 and after rehabilitation, was accepted to train with the police where he became a sniffer dog.
For six years he worked as a proactive search dogs sniffing out cash, drugs and firearms, working on countless operations throughout
Northern Ireland.
Read more: NI Court Assistance Dog Connie has passed away
But in May this year as he was enjoying a well earned retirement, disaster struck during a walk when his cruciate ligament ruptured leaving him unable to walk.
His former handler and owner, Emma, said: “I’ve had him since he was just a puppy and we worked together for years so he means the world to me; he really is the best boy.”
Sam needed major surgery to help him to walk, run and play again and while the operation was a success, he suffered from nystagmus - a condition affecting his vision - while in recovery so had an extended stay at the vets.
Emma said: “It was such a huge relief when I could bring him home. Thankfully he soon started wagging his tail again and eating well, although he hated the slow progress. He’s started short walks again but soon he’ll be able to run and play again, just like he used to.”
“Sam was rescued by a local charity after coming into a council pound as an unwanted stray. He was rehomed twice but returned to them for being too hyperactive.
“We assessed him as a potential police dog and we felt he’d make a great sniffer dog so he joined me and passed all of his assessments with flying colours. Apart from searching for cash, drugs and firearms on police operations, we also visited schools and community groups across the religious divide, where he won everyone over with his gorgeous nature. And in 2021, Sam retired and has lived with me at home ever since.”
At 10 years old and an ex-working dog, insurance was not an option for Sam and when Emma faced a £2,000 bill for his vital surgery she was concerned about how she would pay it.
She said, “Ex-working dogs who have led strenuous lives and are often plagued by health problems, are often difficult to insure but I had registered Sam with the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a UK charity that supports retired police dogs.”
And thankfully the charity was able to step in and help shoulder much of the cost of Sam’s treatment.
Thin Blue Paw Foundation trustee Gemma Wardell said: “Police dogs give up the best years of their lives to fight crime and protect their communities. They love their job as it’s a big game to them, but it’s a strenuous life and it can take its toll on their bodies.
“When they retire, they don’t get a doggy pension so the cost of their care falls to their former handler or new adopter.
"Without insurance, this can mean huge bills for unexpected vet care for conditions affecting their joints, ligaments and bones, or for ongoing management – like therapy or medication – to help manage common problems like arthritis.
“These dogs are the unsung heroes of the police and they deserve to have long, happy and healthy retirements. That’s why we launched the Thin Blue Paw Foundation; to ensure dogs have access to the very best treatment to enable them to enjoy their retirements to the fullest, without the pressure falling solely to their owners who may not always be able to afford the treatment they need.
“I’m so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation for covering the costs of Sam’s surgery. It’s great to know that they’re there to help dogs like Sam and to give them the lives they deserve after they retire from service.”
Read next:
To get the latest dog news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter
