Ex-police dog home for Christmas thanks to charity

A former police dog is recovering after undergoing a third operation in two years paid for by a charity supporting retired service animals.

Jooba, a nine-year-old Belgian Malinois, worked with the military in Dorset before joining the police first with South Wales and then South Yorkshire.

After having emergency treatment for an infection in one of her joints, which was funded by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, she is now back at home in Barnsley.

Her owner and former police dog handler Michael Greaves said his family was "incredibly grateful" to the charity for its support.

Mr Greaves said: "Jooba worked tirelessly with me, detaining fleeing suspects, searching for discarded property, helping to locate missing persons, and being involved in deployments of the firearms response team."

He said Jooba first underwent treatment in November 2022 for a tear in her cruciate ligament after retiring from service, before needing a second operation after she started limping again last month.

Following the procedure, however, she developed an infection in her leg and was "in a lot of pain" and needed emergency treatment on 5 December.

Mr Greaves said: "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 use for the holidays.

"Jooba is such a kind, loving dog who brings us so much happiness."

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."

He said the charity had supported more than 150 dogs across the UK in its first four years, issuing grants totalling over £3,000.

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