MEET

RPD Tomi

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeMinistry of Defence Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionGastric torsion

Grant amount received£4,000

  • Retired police dog Tomi
  • Retired police dog Tomi on the day of his retirement
  • Retired police dog Tomi at the beach

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG TOMI

RPD Tomi was a general purpose dog with the Ministry of Defence Police and served his whole career alongside handler Molly Irving.

Tomi served for six years, from 2018 to 2024, when he retired to live with his handler and her partner, who is also a dog handler, and their four working dogs.

Molly said: “Tomi was so enthusiastic; no matter what time or how long our shift, he always loved every moment of it. He even loved going to the vets.

“He was a pleasure to work with and I feel so lucky that I now get to call him mine.

“On his last shift we were working at Portsmouth Dockyard so he went out on a RHIB to celebrate and even had a special doggy cake.”

Police dog Tomi in a RHIB on his last day in the job
Retired police dog Tomi on the day of his retirement

Molly had heard about the Thin Blue Paw and decided to register Tomi with the Foundation when he retired.

In June 2026, Tomi was rushed to the vets and needed emergency surgery for gastric torsion (when the stomach twists and fills with air or fluid).

The Foundation launched an appeal to help cover the costs of the £4,000 emergency treatment.

Molly said: “He has settled into retired life really well. He enjoys spending his days walking very slowly around the forest, and his evenings lounging on the sofa eating cheese!

“He has, however, developed an arch nemesis; the washing machine! We can no longer do the washing when he’s in the house!”

Retired police dog Tomi at the beach

“I had heard very good things about the charity and I thought I’d register just in case. I never thought we would need to use the Foundation but we’re so grateful for their support.“

Molly, Tomi’s former handler and owner

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