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MEET
RPD Cipo
Belgian Malinois
Police Service of Northern Ireland
General Purpose
Arthritis & spondylosis
£7,880
2011 – 2024
MORE ABOUT RETIRED POLICE DOG CIPO
RPD Cipo was one when he travelled from Holland, in 2013, to begin his career with Police Service Northern Ireland.
He spent five years working with his handler, Sarah, until he retired at the age of six due to arthritis and spondylosis (wearing of the cartilage in the spine).
Sarah said: “Cipo had a great nose and loved tracking down suspects and finding stolen property. He always worked hard for me and was so pleased when he made a find.”
Shortly after retiring, another dog ran into him and damaged his spine, leaving him unable to walk.
“This was when I took him swimming for the first time,” Sarah said. “Thankfully, after six weeks, he was much better and although he had a bit of a limp and wobble, he still loved short walks and weekly swimming.


“After every swim he really loosened up and he absolutely loved being towel-dried upside down by the team at the end!”
We helped pay for a number of Cipo’s hydrotherapy sessions, as well as covering his monthly medication costs.
Sarah added: “I can’t thank the Thin Blue Paw enough for all the support Cipo and I received.
“His medication and swimming sessions were expensive and I feel very lucky to have had these covered by this amazing charity.”
Sadly, Cipo died in October 2024 after his nose started bleeding and vets suspected a nasal tumour had ruptured. He returned home to spend one more day with his loving family before being put to sleep.

IN MEMORY OF
RPD CIPO 2011-2024
“We spent Cipo’s last day sitting in the sun together. He ate cheese and ham and I stroked his head until the vet came. He went as peacefully as I could have hoped for but my heart is still broken and I miss him every day.” – Sarah
BENEFICIARIES OF OUR GRANTS

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