MEET

RPD Captain

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeWest Midlands Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionSpinal damage

Grant amount received£9,000

  • Retired police dog Captain
  • Retired police dog Captain in autumn leaves
  • Police dog Captain by a police car

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG CAPTAIN

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

“In 2021, Captain and I were deployed to Cornwall to support security at the G7 Conference in St Ives. We also visited schools and community groups to introduce the public to the work of police dog teams.”

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What was Captain like as a police dog?

“Captain is fearsome but also extremely sociable; 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.”

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What is retired life like for Captain?

“When Captain retired he remained with me and my other German Shepherd and they spend hours playing every day in the garden and enjoying long walks.”

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What is your favourite memory with Captain?

“After we visited St Ives in 2021 for the G7 Conference and following his retirement, we returned to Cornwall so he could enjoy a holiday.”

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG CAPTAIN IN RETIREMENT

RPD Captain worked as a general purpose dog with West Midlands Police for three years. He joined and qualified with PC Marcus Cottrell in December 2018.

They had a successful partnership, even winning the Police Chief’s Certificate of Achievement.

Captain had to retire early after rupturing his cruciate ligament in September 2021. He had surgery but for the force felt he needed to medically retire.

Marcus couldn’t bear to be parted from his partner so he adopted him to live with him and his other German Shepherd.

We’ve supported Captain since his retirement, helping with the cost of regular hydrotherapy. Unfortunately his strenuous working life affected his body and, in September 2024, an MRI showed major spinal damage.

Police dog Captain by a police car
Retired police dog Captain recovering from surgery

The seven-year-old is currently undergoing intense hydrotherapy and physiotherapy to prepare him for surgery to correct his spinal damage.

The Foundation is covering the cost of Captain’s pre-surgery rehabilitation and, thanks to our supporters, will be paying for his surgery in full.

Our Chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: “Unfortunately, the wear and tear from Captain’s working life has left its mark on his body, and he’s been struggling on his rear legs for some time. Tests have shown that he had severe damage to his spine.”

Marcus said: “Without the support of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation I would have had a very difficult decision to make when the force decided to retire Captain. The support that the Foundation provides to Captain with this has made a huge difference to his life post-retirement.”

Retired police dog Captain in autumn leaves

“The latest condition has been very traumatic and the Foundation has been amazing with their support and getting Captain seen at one of Europe’s leading referral centres.“

Marcus, Captain’s former handler and owner

BENEFICIARIES OF OUR GRANTS

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  • Sponsorship certificate
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  • A cuddly German Shepherd teddy
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