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Police dogs have been protesting outside the UK parliament demanding a pension.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, which has supported retired police dogs across the UK since 2020, has launched a petition urging the Home Office to introduce mandatory financial assistance for retired police dogs – a form of pension – to ensure their future wellbeing and relieve new owners of often significant veterinary bills.

To support the petition several hero hounds turned up to parliament square and demanded action.

The Foundation has awarded more than £380,000 in grants to support ex-service dogs with life-saving surgery, ongoing therapy and medication, but these animals often suffer with complex medical conditions as a result of their physically demanding careers.

Chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: “Police dogs give the best years of their lives to their work. They face danger without hesitation, demonstrate unwavering loyalty to their handlers, and play a vital role in fighting crime and protecting the public.

“While serving, they receive the highest standard of care from their force – but as soon as they retire, that support ends. The burden of their care, which can be extremely costly, falls on their handler or adopter.”

Charity officials believe the Home Office has a “moral and ethical obligation” to ensure retired police dogs receive support after service, and is calling for a national scheme to provide financial assistance for their medical needs.

An estimated 1,700 police dogs are currently serving across 45 UK forces, with around 100 retiring annually. Many are adopted by their handlers or members of the public once their careers come to an end, but with age and past injuries often come expensive treatments.

Stanbridge added: “During a cost of living crisis, taking on an older dog with complex health issues is a huge responsibility. We want to ensure no one is forced to make the heartbreaking decision of putting a dog to sleep because they can’t afford treatment.”

While the Foundation has helped insurance firms create policies tailored for retired police dogs, it said pre-existing conditions are often excluded – leaving owners who take the animals on after retirement, often police handlers or those with expertise, to face ongoing costs alone.

One of the most common issues is arthritis, with medication costing an average of £200 a month.
“These injuries are a direct result of the dogs' work,” Mr Stanbridge said. “They’ve earned the right to proper care in retirement. The police and government must step up.”

For example, German Shepherd Captain, who attended parliament, served as a general-purpose dog for West Midlands Police before retiring in 2022 after rupturing his cruciate ligament. Subsequent scans revealed major spinal damage. The Foundation has already spent around £5,000 on diagnostics and treatment, and is funding hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and pain relief. Surgery could cost a further £5,000.

Stanbridge said: “Captain was an outstanding police dog and now he deserves a retirement free from pain.”

Another poorly police pooch is Keach, 14, who served with Police Scotland after starting her career in England. She has developed arthritis of the spine and knees, requiring ongoing medication.

Her former handler, Julie Roy, said: “Vet bills are expensive. These dogs give so much during their service – they deserve our support after.”

The list continues - with Neo from Humberside, Fiji from Surrey and RAF police dog Bolle also having illnesses requiring treatment.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation continues to advocate for a formal pension scheme for all retired police dogs, and is urging the public to support its petition. The proposed changes would ringfence funding to assist new owners with medical costs and ensure retired dogs live out their days in comfort.

“These animals are heroes,” continues Stanbridge. “They’ve done their duty. Now it’s time for us to do ours.”