MEET
RPD Rook
Dutch Herder
Police Service of Northern Ireland
General Purpose
Cyst removal
£3,150
HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG ROOK IN RETIREMENT
RPD Rook joined Police Service Northern Ireland in 2013 at just nine-months-old and was partnered with David, who described him as an ‘enthusiastic furry missile’!
“What he lacked in size, he made up for in attitude,” David added. “He was my faithful partner until my promotion in 2018.
“In that time he recovered evidence, caught a number of criminals and found several missing persons. He even protected me from a suspect with a hammer. Rook was absolutely fearless.”
When David left the dog unit, Rook retired with him: “I wasn’t going without him.”
In retirement, Rook enjoyed socialising and tucking into biscuits in David’s office at the station he was based at.
David struggled to insure Rook so registered him with our Foundation.
We helped with the cost of five separate procedures to remove non-cancerous lumps and cysts from his face, ear and legs between 2019 and 2022.
We have also helped with the cost of Rook’s pain medication – costing more than £100 a month – and regular hydrotherapy.
David said: “The life of a police dog takes its toll. I’m so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw and all of the donors who help our retired canine heroes enjoy long and healthy retirements.
“I would have been lost without the Thin Blue Paw and I’d encourage anyone reading this to make a donation.”
Sadly, Rook passed away at the beginning of 2026 after his health deteriorated.
IN MEMORY OF
RPD ROOK 2013-2026
“Rook was my faithful partner and was absolutely fearless. I’m absolutely devastated by his loss but am forever in debt of the Thin Blue Paw for all the support you gave him through his life.”
BENEFICIARIES OF OUR GRANTS
-
RPD Izzy
Belgian Malinois
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Conflict management
Vomiting blood
£700 -
RPD Arni
German Shepherd
Ministry of Defence Police
General Purpose
Cancer
£2,000 -
RPD Szor
German Shepherd
Ministry of Defence Police
General Purpose
Arthritis
£500 -
RPD Lizi
German Shepherd
Ministry of Defence Police
General Purpose
Mass removal
£780 -
RPD Buzz
Belgian Malinois
North Yorkshire Police
General Purpose
Growth removal
£1,080 -
RPD Mack
German Shepherd
Kent Police
General Purpose
Pancreatitis
£1,000 -
RPD Carly
Labrador
Ministry of Defence Police
Search & Detection
Cancer
£750 -
RPD Riley
German Shepherd
Derbyshire Constabulary
General Purpose
Sepsis
£7,000 -
RPD Nero
German Shepherd
West Mercia Police
General Purpose
Stomach blockage
£600 -
RPD Monty
German Shepherd
Nottinghamshire Police
General Purpose
Infected paws
£320 -
RPD Tyco
Belgian Malinois
RAF Police
Guard & Patrol
Arthritis
£90 monthly -
RPD Fizz
Belgian Malinois
Ministry of Defence Police
General Purpose
Arthritis
£60 monthly -
RPD Nipper
German Shepherd
Norfolk and Suffolk Police
General Purpose
Enlarged prostate
£700 -
RPD Stan
Springer Spaniel
Metropolitan Police
Search & Detection
Pancreatitis
£400 -
RPD Wookie
Cocker Spaniel
Kent Police
Search & Detection
Abscess
£570 -
RPD Lenny
German Shepherd
South Yorkshire Police
General Purpose
Perineal hernia
£2,375 -
RPD Max
Springer Spaniel
Ministry of Defence Police
Search & Detection
Elbow fissures
£1,000 -
RPD Ziva
Belgian Malinois
Police Service of Northern Ireland
General Purpose
Ruptured cruciate ligament
£1,100
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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