MEET

RPD Sam

Breed of dogSpringer Spaniel

Location of servitudePolice Service of Northern Ireland

Type of serviceSearch & Detection

ConditionCruciate ligament

Grant amount received£1,900

  • Retired police dog Sam
  • Police dog Sam with his cake

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG SAM IN RETIREMENT

RPD Sam was rescued as an unwanted stray in Northern Ireland in 2013 and was taken on by Police Service Northern Ireland at just 10-months-old.

He was matched with dog handler Emma, who said: “Sam was rescued by a local charity after ending up at a council pound. He was rehomed twice but returned for being too hyper.”

Police trainers felt he’d be a great search and detection dog and he became a proactive cash, drugs and firearms search dog, working on countless operations for more than six years.

He also visited schools and community groups where he ‘won everyone over with his gorgeous nature’.

Police dog Sam on his birthday
Retired police dog Sam after surgery

Sam retired in 2021 and was adopted by Emma, who added: “Sam means the world to me; he really is the best boy.”

Unfortunately, he ruptured his cruciate ligament during a walk and needed major surgery so he could get back on all four paws.

After an extended stay at the vets following complications, he returned home to recover but Emma was worried about how she’d pay the bill. We stepped in to help with the costs.

“It was such a huge relief when I could bring him home,” Emma added. “Thankfully he soon started wagging his tail again.” 

Retired police dog Sam

“I’m so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation for covering the costs of Sam’s surgery. It’s great to know that they’re there to help dogs like Sam and to give them the lives they deserve after they retire from service.”

Emma, Sam’s former handler and owner

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