Retired police dog's life saved thanks to charity

A retired police dog who needed life-saving surgery is now recovering after a charity stepped in to cover the costs of his emergency operation.

Nine-year-old German Shepherd Neo served with Humberside Police and was adopted by a fellow officer when he retired.

Earlier this month, he needed life-saving surgery after falling ill.

Neo's owner, Rob James, said he had "never seen such kindness and felt such relief" after Thin Blue Paw Foundation stepped in to pay the £4,000 bill.

Mr James, from Hornsea in East Yorkshire, was a firearms officer at the time he met Neo, who was handled by one of his best friends in the police force.

He adopted him in 2018 after he retired from police dog duties.

He said: “I knew Neo had been a successful and formidable working dog and felt my lifestyle would suit him well.

"I’ve kept German shepherds since the age of 12 and had lost one of my dogs just a few years earlier.

“Neo loves living in the countryside so he gets long walks and there are lots of places he can swim."

Mr James was working on 8 September when his partner called him to say Neo was making strange noises and that he was trying but struggling to be sick.

While on his way to the vets, Mr James contacted Thin Blue Paw to see if they could help.

Neo was suffering from gastric torsion – where the stomach twists and fills with gas or fluid.

He needed surgery immediately to save his life and the charity, which supports working and retired police dogs, agreed to cover the costs.

“To my astonishment, the charity said it would step in and, in doing so, saved Neo’s life," Mr James said.

"I'm still beyond words.

“Neo is doing really well after his surgery. I find myself thinking a lot about how life might have turned out if the foundation hadn’t stepped in to help with the costs of this surgery.

"I'm so pleased he’s been given a chance."

He has now pledged to raise money for the charity to thank them for supporting him and Neo.

Thin Blue Paw Foundation trustee Kieran Stanbridge said: “We’re so pleased we were able to step in at Neo and Rob’s time of need, and that Neo is now back at home with his family recovering well.”

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