Latest news with #policedogs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Behind the Story: It's not all licks and treats with Treasure Coast's law enforcement K-9s
Breaking News Reporter Corey Arwood spent time at each of the three sheriff's offices on the Treasure Coast with their K-9 Units. He watched the training process in some specially-made facilities and learned about some new developments in K-9 protection. One of those developments is that several sheriffs offices and police departments have upgraded use of technology for their K-9 Units with an app to help them analyze performance better than before. Why was this an important local story to report? Everyone loves the cute, obedient police dogs sometimes seen around the Treasure Coast in their bullet-proof dog vests. But do you really know how they can protect you? Did you know there's at least 55 of them working to keep you safe? We take you on a tour of upgraded facilities where the working dogs learn their trades, show you the dogs in action with their trainers, and give you an idea of a law enforcement dog's daily schedule. We explain a change in record keeping at some K-9 units on the Treasure Coast that offers a previously unavailable detailed view of the results of dog deployments. These dogs are considered 'less-lethal uses of force.' Their discoveries of weapons or narcotics, for example, could lead to decades of jail time for someone in a traffic stop, or to the tracking and rescue of a missing person. What surprised you about this story? Not all law enforcement agencies on the Treasure Coast are using technology to keep track of and analyze what their K-9 dogs and handlers are doing. Some agencies use more traditional reporting methods like a combination of incident details documented through their dispatch system, and training records kept on paper in binders. That's been described as a 'data silo' where records are stored independently and remain disconnected without correlation or analysis. So any time an officer wants to identify the amount of cocaine collected in a month or the number of people bit last year, for example, they have to go through records of dispatch notes and collect and calculate the results. Was there anything you couldn't answer when reporting this story? The developers of the service in use at two sheriff's offices did not respond to calls or voicemails seeking information and comment. As with some other data retrieval and storage systems, questions remain about who maintains ownership of that data and for what purposes can it be used or shared during or after discontinuation of the service. Condominiums: Condo inspection reports reveal substantial structural deterioration across Treasure Coast At the ocean: Treasure Coast lifeguards become more proactive Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Corey on Twitter @coreyarwood, or reach him by phone at 772-978-2246. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Behind the Story: Breaking news reporter gets low-down on K-9 law enforcement
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Swindon family join campaign for pensions for police dogs
The owners of a retired police dog are supporting a national campaign for the animals to be given pensions by the Collins and her husband, a Ministry of Defence Police dog handler, adopted German Shepherd Donna when she retired suddenly at the age of five on medical now seven, has a number of health conditions and the family say it is unfair that animals face being put down if their adoptive families cannot afford the Thin Blue Paw Foundation launched a petition on Thursday calling for ex-service dogs to receive a pension, but the Home Office says there are currently no plans to change the retirement process for service animals. Donna primarily patrolled atomic weapons sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield in Berkshire, but would often be called upon to track down suspects or vulnerable missing Collins, from Swindon, told the BBC there was "no question" that they would adopt Donna when she retired as she was "already a member of the family", but they have struggled with the cost of her vets Shepherds as a breed or prone to a range of muscular skeletal conditions, and ex-police service dogs can be even harder to insure due to the extra toll their working lives takes on their addition, many have been trained for "bite work" in response to a command or a specific threat, which is seen as an added risk for insurers. Donna's medication costs around £300 every two months and her family have sometimes needed support from the Thin Blue Paw Foundation to cover the Collins said: "It's a big responsibility to take ex-police dogs on but they are fantastic dogs.""These dogs are willing to give us everything. They will do everything that is needed and required of them," she said. "For them to give most of their lives, why do they not get some kind of financial support like a pension to take care of them in their old age? I don't think it's very fair."The Home Office told the BBC service animals were managed by individual police forces who rely on charities and volunteers, and there were currently no plans to change the retirement process.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Charity asks government to fund retired police dogs' costly care
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation is appealing to the Government to provide pensions for retired police dogs to alleviate the financial burden on handlers and owners. Since August 2020, the foundation has distributed £380,000 in grants for veterinary expenses, addressing health issues stemming from the dogs' demanding work. Foundation chairman Kieran Stanbridge argues the Home Office has a moral obligation to support these dogs in retirement, given their service and sacrifice. The foundation has launched a petition to push the Government for a ring-fenced budget to support owners of retired police dogs. There are about 1,700 serving police dogs in the UK and about 100 retire each year.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Retired police dogs deserve a pension, charity argues
The Government is facing calls to provide pensions for retired police dogs, recognising their service and sacrifice. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has issued the appeal, highlighting the financial strain placed on former handlers and new owners. Since August 2020, the foundation has distributed £380,000 in grants to cover veterinary expenses, addressing health issues often stemming from the dogs' demanding physical work. Foundation chairman Kieran Stanbridge said police dogs give 'the best years of their lives' to the job. 'They throw themselves into dangerous situations without a second thought ... to help fight crime and keep the public safe.' While in service, the dogs receive comprehensive care, but upon retirement, they are left to rely on their handlers or new owners for often costly vet bills, he said. Mr Stanbridge argues that the Home Office, responsible for allocating funds to police forces, has "an ethical and moral obligation to these dogs" and should provide support in their retirement. There are about 1,700 serving police dogs in the UK, according to the foundation, and about 100 retire each year. It has launched a petition to push the Government for a ring-fenced budget to provide support for the owners of retired police dogs. 'Taking on any dog is a responsibility, but taking on an older retired police dog with health problems is a huge commitment, particularly during the current cost of living crisis,' Mr Stanbridge said. 'We need to ensure that there is support in place for these heroic police dogs so that people aren't put off the idea of rehoming them when they retire and so that owners are never faced with the heartbreaking decision of having them put to sleep because they can't afford their treatment.' Conditions such as arthritis can mean bills of up to £2,400 per year for pain medication, the charity said, and because these are pre-existing medical complaints they would not be covered by pet insurance. Police Scotland dog handler Julie Roy was faced with large vet bills caring for retired German shepherd Keach, who worked for West Midlands Police before moving north of the border. Keach has arthritis in her spin and knee, and the Thin Blue Paw Foundation pays for her pain medication. Ms Roy said: 'Vet bills are expensive and our dogs have worked hard in their working life, putting extra strain on the joints and the body. 'These dogs deserve to have ongoing support when they retire, so they can access the medication and treatment they need having served their communities for so long.' Fellow dog handler Claire Bird, from West Sussex, adopted Belgian Malinois Fiji, who worked for Surrey Police. She has required two operations, for an infection of the uterus and a gastric procedure, and needs regular medication for allergies. So far the foundation has paid £10,000 for her care. Ms Bird said: 'I've kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. 'But I couldn't turn my back on them after everything they've given. 'I believe that there should be more support in place for these incredible heroes when they retire. 'They do so much for us while they're serving and yet when they retire, the Government and the police turn their backs on them.'
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Police dogs ‘should get pensions'
Police dogs should be given pensions in recognition of their service to the country, ministers have been told. The Thin Blue Paw Foundation (TBPF), a charity for retired police dogs, said ministers had an 'ethical and moral obligation' to the animals which often cost more to care for in retirement because of injuries and health problems derived from their years in police service. The charity said it has provided grants of £380,000 to owners since it was set up in August 2020, to cover vet bills and care for them after they retire. It is estimated it costs as much as £250 more a month to look after former police dogs than other dogs. Kieran Stanbridge, chairman of TBPF said: ' Police dogs give the best years of their lives to the job. 'They throw themselves into dangerous situations without a second thought, they show unwavering loyalty to their handler and their job, and they give so much to help fight crime and keep the public safe. 'During their careers they receive the very best care and support from the force they serve with but, as soon as they hang up their harness, they're on their own, and the responsibility for their often-expensive care falls to their ex-handler or new owner. 'We believe that the Home Office, who allocate funding to police forces nationally, have an ethical and moral obligation to these dogs and shouldn't turn their backs on them when it's time to pay them back for everything they've done.' Bills can reach £2,400 a year There are around 1,700 serving police dogs in the UK, according to the foundation, and roughly 100 retire each year. The charity has launched a petition to push the Government for a ring-fenced budget to provide support for the owners of retired police dogs. Conditions such as arthritis can mean bills of up to £2,400 per year for pain medication, the charity said, and because these are pre-existing medical complaints they would not be covered by pet insurance. Mr Stanbridge said: 'Police dogs lead physically demanding lives and, when they retire – whether due to injury or age – they often have health problems as a result of their career, which can require expensive medication, therapy and management throughout their retirement. 'Taking on any dog is a responsibility, but taking on an older retired police dog with health problems is a huge commitment, particularly during the current cost-of-living crisis. 'We need to ensure that there is support in place for these heroic police dogs so that people aren't put off the idea of rehoming them when they retire and so that owners are never faced with the heartbreaking decision of having them put to sleep because they can't afford their treatment.' 'These dogs deserve our ongoing support' Julie Roy, a Police Scotland dog handler, was faced with large vet bills caring for retired German shepherd Keach, who worked for West Midlands Police before moving north of the border. Keach has arthritis in her spin and knee, and the Thin Blue Paw Foundation pays for her pain medication. Ms Roy said: 'Vet bills are expensive and our dogs have worked hard in their working life, putting extra strain on the joints and the body. 'These dogs deserve to have ongoing support when they retire, so they can access the medication and treatment they need having served their communities for so long.' Claire Bird, a fellow dog handler from West Sussex, adopted Fiji, a Belgian Malinois who worked for Surrey Police. She has required two operations, one for an infection of the uterus and a gastric procedure, and needs regular medication for allergies. So far the foundation has paid £10,000 for her care. Ms Bird said: 'I've kept all of my working dogs when they retire and, as any dog owner knows, taking care of them is expensive. But I couldn't turn my back on them after everything they've given. 'I believe that there should be more support in place for these incredible heroes when they retire. 'They do so much for us while they're serving and yet when they retire, the Government and the police turn their backs on them.'
