MEET

RPD Gilly

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeLeicestershire Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionCanine coronavirus

Grant amount received£260

  • Retired police dog Gilly in the snow
  • Police dogs Gilly and Jura with Darren
  • Retired police dog Gilly at hydrotherapy

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG GILLY IN RETIREMENT

RPD Gilly served with Leicestershire Police for eight years as a general purpose dog before retiring in 2021. The 12-year-old worked with handler, PC Darren Sewell, for his whole career and now lives with him and his family. before his retirement in 2020.

Darren and Gilly, and Darren’s new police dog, PD Jura, were honoured with our inaugural Special Recognition Award in 2021, celebrating Darren’s impact on the police dog community.

PC Sewell and his two dogs were chosen by the Foundation’s trustees to receive the award after their commitment to training police dogs in Leicestershire, despite Darren’s own health problems. 

Gilly stayed by Darren’s side when, in 2020, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 blood cancer which had spread to his chest, lungs, liver and hip. He was signed off work to undergo chemotherapy but Gilly – and his other dogs – were by his side every step of the way.

Retired police dog Gilly
Retired police dog Gilly recovering

When Gilly fell ill in 2023, the Foundation stepped in to help. Darren said: “My working police dog, PD Jura, had been poorly a few weeks earlier and the force ensured he received the very best care and, thankfully, he was back on his paws in no time.

“But when Gilly fell ill too I was incredibly worried. While he’s insured we knew we’d be responsible for the excess and 20% of the total bill which would still be a large amount with the overall bill coming in at over £1,000 but the Foundation offered to help which is gratefully received with the current cost of living increases.

“It’s been a huge help as this was a cost that we didn’t expect that came out of nowhere.

“Gilly and I worked together; he was my partner in crime and my therapy dog during treatment. I knew I had to be there for Gilly and ensure he had the best treatment so I’m hugely grateful to the Thin Blue Paw for helping.”

Retired police dog Gilly

“It was incredibly humbling to receive the Special Recognition Award from the Thin Blue Paw in 2021. But for them to support Gilly during his illness has been even more amazing. I’m so incredibly grateful.”

Darren, Gilly’s former handler and owner

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