A charity has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to cover the cost of spinal surgery for Captain, a retired police dog.
Captain, a German Shepherd who served with West Midlands Police, is facing major spinal surgery following a strenuous working life that has left him with significant health issues.
Captain retired in 2022 after a three-year career as a general purpose police dog. His early retirement was necessitated by a ruptured cruciate ligament sustained in September 2021, which required surgery. Despite the operation, Captain could no longer continue his duties due to the severity of his injury.
However, the challenges didn’t end there. The demanding nature of Captain’s police work has also taken a toll on his spine. At seven years old, he now requires an operation that is estimated to cost between £5,000 and £7,500. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity that supports both working and retired police dogs across the UK, has stepped in to help cover the costs of Captain’s treatment.
Fundraising Appeal for Vital Surgery
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has already contributed around £4,500 towards Captain’s medical care, including his initial treatment and tests. Charity trustee Kieran Stanbridge emphasised the importance of the surgery for Captain’s quality of life, noting that the strain of his work had left him struggling with mobility issues in his rear legs.
“The Foundation has supported Captain since his retirement, assisting his owner Marcus with veterinary costs and regular hydrotherapy sessions,” Stanbridge said. “This surgery comes at a significant cost, and we are appealing to our supporters and the public to help us provide Captain with this much-needed lifeline.”
Stanbridge highlighted Captain’s dedication during his years of service, stating that the retired police dog now deserves a comfortable and happy retirement. The surgery is crucial to ensuring that Captain can continue to enjoy his post-service life with his family.
Captain’s Distinguished Career
Captain’s police handler, PC Marcus Cottrell, who is based in Solihull, trained and qualified with Captain in December 2018. The pair had a successful partnership, which was recognised with the Police Chief’s Certificate of Achievement. Captain was known for his dual nature—fearsome in his duties yet extremely sociable. He played a key role in detaining numerous criminals, including a suspect involved in a double stabbing, and was instrumental in finding people on the run and recovering weapons used in crimes.
Beyond his operational duties, Captain also engaged with the community, participating in school visits and public demonstrations to showcase the work of police dog teams. In 2021, Captain was deployed to Cornwall to assist with security during the G7 Conference in St Ives, a testament to his skill and reliability.
Upon his retirement, PC Cottrell adopted Captain, ensuring that the dog remained part of his family. “Captain has remained with me and my other German Shepherd, and they spend hours playing every day in the garden and enjoying long walks,” Cottrell shared.
Support for Captain’s Recovery
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has been instrumental in supporting Captain since his retirement, helping to ease the financial burden on PC Cottrell. The charity’s support has made a significant difference, particularly as Captain faces the latest health challenge.
“The decision to retire Captain was heartbreaking, but the Foundation’s support has been invaluable,” Cottrell added. “This latest condition has been very traumatic, but the Foundation has been amazing in getting him seen at one of Europe’s leading referral centres.”
The charity’s fundraising appeal aims to secure the necessary funds for Captain’s spinal surgery, which is vital for his continued well-being. With the surgery, Captain will have the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved retirement after his years of dedicated service.
For those interested in contributing to Captain’s surgery, donations can be made directly to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation. The charity is hopeful that with public support, Captain will be able to undergo the operation and continue to live a happy and healthy life.
