MEET

RPD Bessie

Breed of dogBelgian Malinois

Location of servitudeMinistry of Defence Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionCancer

Grant amount received£3,975

  • Retired police dog Bessie
  • Retired police dog Bessie at the beach
  • Retired police dogs Bessie and Lilly

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG BESSIE IN RETIREMENT

RPD Bessie worked for the Ministry of Defence Police primarily protecting sites in Berkshire and Devon, as well as supporting the Home Office’s work.

The eight-year-old retired two years ago for medical reasons after injuring her cruciate ligament and being diagnosed with spondylitis and arthritis.

Her owner, Ben Smith from Liskeard, Cornwall, said: “Bessie is a very affectionate dog with lots of energy and she loved working.

“Now she’s retired she still has all of her enthusiasm but thankfully with less strain on her body, her aches and pains have eased and she’s a happy, content dog.

Police dog Bessie on duty
Retired police dogs Bessie and Lilly

“She enjoys nothing more than playing with our children and our other retired police dog, Lilly.”

When Bessie developed a cancerous lump on her shoulder in February 2023 she needed an operation and tests which finally found she was thankfully cancer-free.

“While Bessie was recovering from her first surgery, she managed to pull out some stitches and expose a large, deep wound which required another operation to re-stitch,” Ben said.

We supported Bessie and her family, paying the veterinary bill.

Retired police dog Bessie at the beach

“Without the help of the Thin Blue Paw we would have faced financial strain, and the charity has enabled Bessie to have the treatment she needed. We will forever be grateful to the Foundation for giving us many more years with Bessie.”

Ben, Bessie’s owner

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