MEET

RPD Bronx

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeNorfolk and Suffolk Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionDegenerative muscular condition

Grant amount received£1,050

Year of birth to year of death2011-2023

  • Retired police dog Bronx
  • Retired police dog Bronx during hydrotherapy
  • Retired police dog Bronx with his friend

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG BRONX

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What are some of the highlights of Bronx’s career?

Bronx won the Force Trials and Obedience Cup and was nominated for a Norfolk Safer Community Award for his service to the community. As well as policing, he was involved in promoting police relations in the local area with school visits and event appearances.  

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What made Bronx a good police dog?

“We knew early on that Bronx had fantastic qualities. He was confident, seemed to naturally know the difference between right and wrong, and is a wonderful ambassador for his breed.”

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How did Bronx become a police dog?

Bronx was gifted to his owners, the Fermors, by his breeder. They were going to keep him and take him into competition sport dog trials but, after having their daughter and with less time to spend with him, they took up an opportunity for him to join the police.

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Why did Bronx retire?

When Bronx was injured while on duty tracing offenders, his handler rushed him to the vets. He had treatment to get him back on his paws but was deemed unfit to return to service so retired to live with his former owners, the Fermors, in Kent.

HOW WE’VE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG BRONX IN RETIREMENT

RPD Bronx joined Norfolk and Suffolk Police Joint Dog Unit in 2013, at the age of two, and was renowned for his exemplary service and larger than life personality.

He’d been gifted to Dave and Lisa Fermor by his breeder and they planned to keep him. But when he was offered the chance to join the police, his owners felt it was right for him.

He won a number of awards during his seven-year career but was forced to retire early, in 2020, after being injured on duty. He returned to the Fermors, in Kent.

But his hard work took a toll on his body and left him with health problems that we supported his owner with.

Retired police dog Bronx with his friend
Retired police dog Bronx during hydrotherapy

Dave added: “Regrettably the commitment to his service brought with it not only action, adventure and sometimes danger, but also degenerative muscular skeletal conditions caused by his injury and working lifestyle.

“We, like many other retired police dog owners, are delighted and extremely grateful to receive support from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

“We were unable to find a pet insurer that would even entertain Bronx, given his age, condition and past career, so the charity has been a lifeline for him. 

“If it were not for the wonderful work and support of the Foundation then it goes without saying that we would, without doubt, struggle to meet with the costs for the physio therapy, treatments and medicines which help maintain Bronx’s health during his retirement and ensure he lived his best life in our family home.”

Retired police dog Bronx having treatment

IN MEMORY OF

RPD BRONX 2011-2023

“Everyone who knew Bronx over the years had nothing but high admiration for him, due to his talent for locating and capturing criminals, his dependability in finding missing people, and also because of his huge character.” – Dave

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