Retired police dog back home for Christmas after surgery
“She’s started to put weight on that leg again and is recovering well” – Michael Greaves.
A retired police dog is home in time for Christmas after undergoing surgery for cruciate ligament damage.
Nine-year-old Jooba initially worked as a military dog, before serving as a police dog in South Wales and South Yorkshire. When the Belgian Malinois retired in 2022, she was adopted by her handler Michael Greaves and his family in Barnsley.
In November 2022, she needed surgery for a torn cruciate ligament. Last month, she began limping again and her family suspected that there may be an issue with the cruciate ligament in her other hind leg.
She underwent surgery on 28 November, but problems arose as she recovered from the operation. A week after the operation, she had to be rushed back to the veterinary practice due to an infection in her joint.
Mr Greaves said: “Jooba was clearly in a lot of pain and vets did further tests and X-rays as well as a fluid withdrawal which showed that she had an infection in the joint. She needed strong antibiotics and significant pain relief and, thankfully, she’s now beginning to come out of the other side.”
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which provides support for retired police dogs, has funded veterinary care for Jooba, including both her operations.
Mr Greaves added: “She’s started to put weight on that leg again and is recovering well. She’s now on the road to recovery, just in time for Christmas, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation for covering the huge costs of all this treatment, and for getting our girl back home to us for the holidays.”
Since it was founded in 2020, the charity has supported over 150 dogs with grants totalling more than £300,000.
Thin Blue Paw trustee and co-founder Kieran Stanbridge said: “Jooba dedicated years of her life to working for the military and then the police. It’s only right that now, in her retirement, she’s given the very best care to get her back on her paws quickly and back home with her adoring family.
“We’re proud to have been there for Jooba in her hour of need, and to ease the financial burden on Michael and his family, particularly at this time of year.
Image © Thin Blue Paw Foundation
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
