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New charity launched to support police dogs in their retirement
Ambassador Finn was stabbed in the line of duty in 2016. This incident led to the establishment of Finn's Law.

Foundation offers financial help for dogs and owners

A new national charity has been established to support serving and retired police dogs, with hero police dog Finn, who also inspired Finn’s Law, being named as the charities’ official ambassador.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation aims to provide assistance for dogs like Finn that have provided such a vital service. Currently police dogs receive no financial support and due to their working life, many are unable to receive pet insurance. As a result, the cost of their care and veterinary bills often falls to owners and ex-handlers.

One of the dogs that the charity will be providing support for is German shepherd Elsa, a retired Surrey police dog who was adopted in August 2019 by Steve Ellis and his wife. Less than a month later, a lump was discovered on Elsa’s mammary gland and she was taken to the local veterinary practice for treatment.

Though the lump was fortunately benign, and Elsa has fully recovered, the costs of all her treatment had to be paid by her adopted owners, with no financial or emotional support.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation will be backing Mr and Mrs Ellis moving forward, so that they can enjoy their life with Elsa without worry around paying any future veterinary bills alone.

Mr Ellis said: “I’m so grateful that the Thin Blue Paw Foundation now exists, without a charity like this our retried police dogs wouldn’t have the support they so very much deserve. It’s thanks to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation that we can spend quality time with Elsa, knowing that if we need support, they will be able there to help us.”

Finn’s owner PC Dave Wardell said: “I’m extremely proud to have founded this charity with our board of trustees. As a serving police dog handler, I know first-hand the amazing work these incredible canines do on a daily basis, from finding suicidal people to catching armed robbers it’s only right that when they retire, they’re treated like the heroes that they are.”

Images (c) The Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.