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Local fund for retired police dogs joins national charity
Lady Bathurst with the chief constable of West Midlands Police.
The merger will allow continued support for West Midlands police dogs.

The Retired West Midlands Police Dog Benevolent Fund (RWMPD Benevolent Fund) has merged with the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) to help ensure that continued support is offered to retired service dogs in the area.

Founded in 2014, the RWMPD Benevolent Fund has been run by a small group of volunteers, raising money to support the veterinary costs of retired police dogs via a membership subscription scheme as well as through sales and donations.

The owners of dogs and horses which have retired after working for the police, fire and rescue services, the prison service, Border Force, or the National Crime Agency can find it difficult to get insurance for the animal. They currently receive no financial support towards veterinary bills and other costs from the government.

Since it was launched in 2022 by Lady Bathurst, the NFRSA has provided more than £50,000 in financial grants. There are an estimated 3,500 retired service animals in the UK and demand for financial support has risen in recent times owing to the cost-of-living crisis.

Terry Grove, the former treasurer of the RWMPD Benevolent Fund, said: “The establishment and the success of the NFRSA provides an opportunity to transition the Benevolent Fund into the NFRSA which will ensure that retired West Midlands Police Dogs can continue to be afforded the support they have benefited from over the past 10 years.”

In a statement, the NFRSA said: “We are deeply honoured that a local charity such as the RWMPD Benevolent Fund has decided to join our family.

“The trustees, and in particular, Terry Grove, have worked over the last ten years to ensure their retired police dogs are taken care of and we will continue that legacy as a national charity going forward.”

Image © National Foundation for Retired Service Animals

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.