Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th August 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Retired Police dog pulls through after emergency surgery
Pictured: Flint with his handler, Karen Crossley.

Ministry of Defence PD Flint kept nuclear submarines safe. 

Retired Ministry of Defence Police Dog Flint, an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois, has pulled through after a life-saving operation.

Flint, who comes from a line of police dogs, was matched with his handler Karen Crossley at nine weeks old in December 2010, and spend six years keeping nuclear submarines safe and secure.

Karen explained: “He spent his whole working life at Devonport where we patrolled the dock areas where the nuclear submarines underwent repairs and refits, and the seawalls where the naval ships would berth.”

After his retirement in 2018, Flint stayed with Karen, and enjoyed his life as a pet. However, this June, Flint began acting strangely, waking up suddenly and running outside. Karen noticed that his back was hunched and that he was attempting to vomit.

Noticing that Flint's stomach was starting to bloat, Karen rushed him to the veterinary clinic. The vet confirmed that Flint has a twisted stomach, and that an emergency operation was necessary.

Flint had already gone into shock, and even though the operation was a risk at his age, it was essential – but a touch-and-go situation, with great uncertainty if he would survive it.

Thankfully Flint survived and began to recover. Karen said: “We don’t know why it happened but I understand that when they’re laying down gas can build up and cause their stomach to twist.

“I’m just so relieved that he made it through and that we got to bring him home.”

With the emergency vet bill of £2,000, retired police dogs are unable to be insured due to their working past. 

UK-based charity the Thin Blue Paw Foundation stepped in to cover the cost of Flint's treatment. The organisation provides financial assistance and support to people who take on retired police dogs, owing to the dogs' uninsurability due to their active and strenuous past. 

“He deserves to have the best life now he’s retired and I’m committed to making sure he gets that,” Karen added.

“But I couldn’t do it without the Thin Blue Paw Foundation and I’m so grateful to them for their support and for saving Flint’s life.”

 

Image (C) The Thin Blue Paw Foundation

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.