Did you know…………
………that when a Police Dog is retired from active service (for whatever reason) they do not receive any financial support or pension? Police dogs are often retired ahead of schedule due to being injured in the course of their work; or even injured protecting their handler.
They are an integral part of operational Policing within Lancashire and provide an invaluable service to our County.
Most of our Lancashire Police Dogs generally retire to their handler who then has to take over all financial responsibility.
In some cases a dog is retired at a young age due to illness or injuries sustained and then veterinary and drugs bills can be very heavy and cause heart-searching decisions for a handler who may well have more than one Police Dog.
Retired Police Dogs Lancashire has been established to assist handlers and adoptees where necessary so that the dog can stay with the family it loves and trusts.
A small team of animal welfare personnel consider applications for financial assistance from handlers and adoptees who find themselves in this position.
It is 4 years since the fund was started ,we are a small group of animal welfare supporters some of whom are members of the Lancashire Police Authority Welfare Committee for police dogs and horses. We pride ourselves that we are becoming experts in different types of fund raising ! In that time we have been able to assist 23 retired police dogs with the cost of their veterinary expenses- ranging from severe illness, minor operations to a recent share of the cost of hip replacement in a dog that is about to retire.
Up to recently we have had to limit our help to within Lancashire but we are now extending it to include any retired Lancashire police dogs that are adopted out of the County where there is a need.
We are also willing to assist any other County interested in setting up a similar scheme for these worthy “non pensioned officers” with four legs.
Anyone interested in our work is welcome to contact any of our members – and we are always looking for volunteers !
We survive solely on donations, legacies and fundraising events.
Can you help? Any contribution will be much appreciated.