A retired police dog who was rushed to specialist vets after collapsing during a health check has passed away following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
German Shepherd RPD Bane – who served with Cambridgeshire Police for five years, as a general purpose and firearms support dog – was diagnosed with a tumour on his heart.
The Foundation rushed to be by the sides of Bane’s family, and also helped to arrange for his former handler – who’d not seen him for two years – to come and visit him.
We paid for emergency treatment by specialists to drain the fluid from his heart and had hoped it would give him weeks with his family to say goodbye. But, tragically, just a few days later, he was rushed back to the vet where his owner made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye.
Bane’s owner, Carleighjay Callaghan, said: “Having the support of the Thin Blue Paw meant more than words can describe. Kieran was a fountain of knowledge, advocated for us in a time that we were so desperate for help, answers and support.”
Ali McKenzie, Bane’s former handler, said: “Bane was a phenomenal police dog and absolutely loved his job. He was a confident dog who was protective of his pack, but he also has a softer side and loved a fuss.”
Our founder Kieran Stanbridge said: “We’re proud to have been there to help Bane when he needed it the most, and also to provide support during such a difficult time for Bane’s family.
“While this isn’t the ending we hoped for, I’m humbled by the fact that we were able to give Bane some extra time with the family he loved so much, and time to reunite with his former partner. Now, he can stand down.”
