MEET

RPD Pablo

Breed of dogSpringer Spaniel

Location of servitudeNorfolk and Suffolk Police

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionCancer

Grant amount received£4,000

Year of birth to year of death2010 – 2024

  • Retired police dog Pablo recovering after surgery
  • Retired police dog Pablo enjoying a walk
  • Retired police dog Pablo recovering after surgery
  • Retired police dog Pablo with his owners Carly and George

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG PABLO

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

Pablo served as a cash, drugs and weapons recovery dog and helped to find more than £250,000 worth of items and also played a part in the arrest of hundreds of criminals.

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How did you come to adopt Pablo?

“My husband’s role within the police meant that he often worked closely with the dog unit and had met Pablo on many occasions. When Pablo retired, he made a flippant comment about bringing him home and, before we knew it, he was settling down in our living room. He never left – and we’ve never looked back.”

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Tell us a funny story about Pablo…

“Pablo was sent in to search a car that was suspected of being involved in county lines drugs and came out with the suspects’ Big Mac they’d just picked up from the McDonald’s drive-through! I think it was true love from that point forward!”

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What did retired life look like for Pablo?

Pablo really enjoyed retired life and loved having cuddles on the sofa, playing with his tennis ball and going on long walks.

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG PABLO IN RETIREMENT

Retired police dog Pablo enjoying a walk

RPD Pablo served Norfolk and Suffolk’s Joint Dog Section for eight years until he retired, at the age of 10, in 2019.

He was adopted by Carly Laflin and her husband, who were both serving police officers in Suffolk and had met Pablo during various operations and fallen in love with his cheeky personality.

Carly said: “The police take really good care of them while they’re working but, unfortunately, once they retire they don’t offer any further support – they just get a ‘thank you’ and a ‘goodbye’. 

“Pablo has always been fit and healthy – although he was blind in one eye from an accident when he was younger.”

When he started struggling to go to the toilet the couple took him to the vet and, following various tests, vets discovered a 4cm mass in his abdomen.

Carly said: “We spent around £1,500 on examinations and investigations so we knew what it was and eventually he was referred to a specialist. When they said he needed surgery and it would cost around £4,000 we walked away in tears, not knowing what we’d do.

“The Thin Blue Paw saved Pablo’s life. We had already decided that we would go ahead with the surgery but we were really concerned about how we would find that sort of money so the charity has really helped to fill that huge gap.”

Pablo lived another three years following his successful surgery – paid for by us – but sadly passed away in August 2024.

Retired police dog Pablo recovering after surgery
Retired police dog Pablo with his owners Carly and George

IN MEMORY OF

RPD PABLO 2010-2024

“Pablo had an incredible career and equally loved retired life. Thank you for the memories, Pablo. You may be gone, but you’ll forever be in our hearts.” – Carly & George

POLICE DOG MEMORIAL ROLL OF HONOUR

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