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MEET
RPD Fiji
Belgian Malinois
Surrey Police
General Purpose
Allergies, pyometra, gastric torsion
£10,000
MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG FIJI
What are some of the highlights of Fiji’s career?
“An emergency call came in for a high-risk missing person and there were concerns he may have been suicidal. Within just a few hours, thanks to Fiji’s amazing nose and her training, we located him. He was unconscious but alive; and Fiji had saved his life.”
How did Fiji become a police dog?
Fiji joined Surrey Police at just four months old. She’d been rescued when her owner tragically committed suicide. She was paired with operational dog handler Claire Bird who had just returned from maternity leave.
Why did Fiji retire?
Fiji was playing and jumped for a toy, pulling the ligaments in her leg when she landed. She retired to live with Claire and her family, who’d all fallen in love with her.
What does the Thin Blue Paw mean to you and Fiji?
“The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is amazing. Having had police dogs injured at work before and having always kept my working dogs when they retire, it’s great that Fiji can be looked after with the support of the Thin Blue Paw. If she needs any medical help the charity will always be there to help.”
HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG FIJI IN RETIREMENT
RPD Fiji was just four-months-old when she joined Surrey Police and partnered with Claire Bird to train as a general purpose dog.
She went on to save lives, fight crime and win awards before she had to retire early after injuring the ligaments in her leg when she jumped for a toy.
She retired to live with Claire and her family but, as she got older, she started struggling with itchy skin.
Claire wasn’t able to insure Fiji so turned to us for support and we offered to cover the costs of her regular injection to help relieve the discomfort.


In October 2023, we were there for Fiji in her hour of need when she fell seriously ill with pyometra, a bacterial infection of the uterus which can prove fatal.
We covered the cost of her emergency treatment.
And when Fiji fell seriously ill again, in January 2025, when her stomach twisted and she needed life-saving surgery – costing £4,300 – to treat the gastric torsion and remove her damaged spleen.
Our chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: “Fiji has needed almost £10,000 in support over the years, for emergency surgery and for regular medication to help with an ongoing condition and ensure she has the best quality of life in her retirement. But that’s exactly why we set up this Foundation.”

“I’m so incredibly thankful to the Thin Blue Paw – and everyone who donates to them – for helping to save Fiji’s life, and for helping me make her happy during her retirement.”
Claire, Fiji’s former handler and owner
BENEFICIARIES OF OUR GRANTS

Sponsor a retired police dog
Help us with the costs to rehabilitate heroic retired police dogs once they leave the line of duty by sponsoring a dog to support their ongoing care and treatment.
Your sponsorship pack will include:
- Sponsorship certificate
- Photo of your sponsor dog
- A cuddly German Shepherd teddy
- Quarterly email updates on your sponsor dog

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