The Thin Blue Paw Foundation recently revealed that people raised over $13,000 for their retired police dog to get surgery after horrific spinal damage. Reportedly, the dog, a German Shepherd named Captain, worked for West Midlands Police for three years before taking a retirement in 2022. This came after the canine suffered a ligament injury in his leg, with spine issues following it. The charity also expressed its gratefulness for people who came forward to support the surgery.
Retired police dog gets life-saving surgery after fundraiser success
On September 3, the Thin Blue Paw Foundation expressed their gratitude to people who raised over $13,000 (over £10,000) in 24 hours to get the German Shepherd his life-saving spinal surgery. The dog worked for West Midlands Police for three years but retired two years ago due to multiple injuries.
According to BBC’s report, Captain “ruptured his cruciate ligament in a leg, with spinal problems emerging thereafter.” The foundation told the news outlet that “strenuous days patrolling the streets and chasing and detaining suspects” caused the German Shepherd’s injury. Meanwhile, Captain’s owner, PC Marcus Cottrell, revealed the dog’s nature as “fearsome yet extremely sociable.”
Since Captain’s retirement in 2022, the charity helped the German Shepherd with hydrotherapy sessions and veterinary consultations. Recalling Captain’s work, Cottrell told BBC, “He detained countless criminals – including a suspect who’d stabbed two people – and used his nose to find people on the run, as well as weapons used in incidents.”
Eventually, the expensive bill of about £7,500 for Captain’s spinal surgery led the foundation to build an online fundraiser page. The charity expressed their desire to give Captain the best chance at a “long and happy, comfortable retirement.” The charity later revealed on the social media page that supporters raised over £10,000 in less than 24 hours.
Thanking everyone involved, Cottrell said, “Captain has always been a superstar but I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, and generosity shown by supporters of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, friends, family, colleagues, and members of the public, some of whom have commented that they have met Captain. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Meanwhile, all the funds raised above the fundraising target for Captain’s surgery would go towards the support of other retired police dogs, the charity noted.
