MEET

RPD Minerva

Breed of dogBelgian Malinois

Location of servitudeMinistry of Defence Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionCancer

Grant amount received£700

Year of birth to year of death2010-2026

  • Retired police dog Minerva our exploring Scotland
  • Retired police dog Minerva finds a fawn
  • Retired police dog Minerva at the beach

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG MINERVA

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What made Minerva a good police dog?

“She was always a very intuitive dog. When Rusty, our border terrier, was a puppy he stood at the beach shoreline as a wave was about to crash. Minerva ran over, grabbed him by his collar and took him up the beach. After plonking him down she verbally berated him in dog terms! It was extraordinary to see her thought processes and actions at work.”

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What did retirement look like for Minerva?

“Minerva enjoyed a very active retirement wandering the mountain tracks and trails, beaches and woodlands of the north east of Scotland and keeping good company with Rusty the border terrier; chasing snowballs, even at the ripe old age of fourteen and a half!”

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What does the Thin Blue Paw Foundation mean to you?

“There is finally an organisation which cares about retired police dogs and provides ‘top cover’ when RPD owners are in need of support. This assistance goes to ensure RPDs have the appropriate care in retirement and provides a great reassurance to RPD owners.”

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Tell us a funny story about Minerva…

“There probably are hundreds of minor funny stories of Minnie. Plenty of bin raiding since retirement for sure!”

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG MINERVA IN RETIREMENT

RPD Minerva joined the Ministry of Defence Police in 2011 at just one and served at gas sites in the north-east of Scotland before she retired in 2019.

She served alongside her four brothers who also worked locally after the whole litter was bred by the MoD and named after ancient Gods. 

Minerva – or Minnie – was one of the first MoD dogs to attain the Intermediate Firearms Support Dog Standard in 2017.

Sadly, at the end of her career, she was diagnosed with a tumour in her thigh which needed to be removed surgically. The surgery left a large wound which was difficult to heal.

Retired police dog Minerva with doggy friend, Rusty
Retired police dog Minerva in her older age

Minnie was adopted by her handler, Pete Coutts, on retirement and her cancer treatment continued, so we financially assisted.

When a further tumour was discovered in May 2024, we paid for the surgery to remove it. Thankfully it wasn’t long until she was back to enjoying walks on the beach and snoozing with her best pal, Rusty.

Pete said: “Minnie has been the most wonderful colleague and companion, who is loved dearly by the entire family. Thanks to expert care, diligence and assistance from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, she bounced back from cancer twice!”

Sadly, Minnie was put to sleep in early 2026 after her health deteriorated.

Retired police dog Minerva at the beach

IN MEMORY OF

RPD MINERVA 2010-2026


‘The whole family misses Minnie incredibly; her warm biscuit aroma, snoring and timely sighs mid-conversation, along with her legendary bin-raids and her ever-present, beautiful almond-shaped amber eyes.’ – Pete

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