Lifesaving treatment for ex-police pup paid for by dog welfare charity
The charity was set up to help pups like Bailey
Bailey served for over eight years as a police dog, and thanks to financial support from Thin Blue Paw, he was able to get lifesaving treatment. | Photo: Thin Blue Paw Foundation
A former Humberside Police sniffer dog has been given money for life-saving treatment by a welfare charity that supports retired force pups.
Springer spaniel Bailey, 10, worked as a cash, drugs, and weapons detection dog for Humberside Police for more than eight years, joining the force at 14 months old and being partnered with PC Chris Wright when his previous handler retired in 2015.
There were many successful searches between Chris and Bailey over the years, including helping uncover a large drug dealing ring when he located 1.5kg of cocaine in a shop near Hull.
Bailey has always been a keen finder of things on his various jobs with Humberside Police. | Photo: Thin Blue Paw Foundation
Chris, from Grimsby, had to leave the dog section due to health problems, but was able to take Bailey and his general purpose dog – a German Shepherd called Pedro – with him in retirement as adopted pets.
Chris, who now works in the police intelligence department, said: “I’d worked in the dog section for 20 years and had many dogs but Bailey was brilliant. He never let me down.
“Bailey is a typical springer – he’s mad! He never runs out of energy, never stops looking or searching, and that makes him great at his job. Really, he does it all for the love of his tennis ball.”
Police dogs receive no financial assistance from the force they served when they retire, and they can be very difficult to insure given the hard lives they have had.
This was an issue that Chris was starting to realise, and he eventually registered Bailey and Pedro to Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a UK dog welfare charity that protects and supports working and retired police pups.
Bailey was adopted by his police handler Chris after retirement. | Photo: Thin Blue Paw Foundation
The charity provides financial assistance to owners, ensuring they can afford veterinary treatment, and that was absolutely needed for Chris and Bailey last month.
On April 8, Chris came downstairs at his Grimsby home to see Bailey collapsed in his kennel, surrounded by vomit and diarrhoea, and he rushed him to the vets.
The dog was diagnosed with Cushings disease, which is caused by a hormonal imbalance, and vets said he fell ill due to an infection. Chris was faced with a £1,500 bill for the treatment, that will be covered by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.
Bailey will need lifelong treatment to manage his disease, as well as regular check-ups, so the support of the foundation is absolutely vital for Chris as he seeks to provide the best possible quality of life for his furry friend.
Bailey was on the brink of death, but emergency treatment saved the day. | Photo: Thin Blue Paw Foundation
ThinBluePaw trustee Dave Wardell said: “Poor Bailey was on the brink of death and needed costly but life-saving emergency treatment to nurse him back to health.
“This is a traumatic situation for any dog owner to find themselves in; but the adopters of retired police dogs not only have to make difficult decisions with the best interests of their pet in mind, but also with their finances in mind.
“While those of us with pet dogs can take our insurance policies to help us should the worst happen and our beloved dog need life-saving treatment; it’s almost impossible to insure retired police dogs due to the strenuous working lives they’ve led.
“We founded the charity because we wanted to ensure that no owners, like Chris, would be in a position where they’d have to choose between putting food on the table and paying their bills, or paying for treatment for their dog.
“These dogs are unsung heroes who have dedicated their lives to fighting crime, bringing criminals to justice, and keeping the public safe. The least they, and their owners, deserve is a happy and healthy retirement.”
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A family-run jewellers with more than 50 years’ experience is relocating from Newark to open in Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter next week.
Smiths The Jewellers was based on Balderton Gate in Newark for 18 years, but it will now move into the unit previously occupied by Oxfam at 26-27 Sincil Street.
The new shop will open at 10am on Saturday, June 4 and the business has collaborated with Chambers Florists, also of the Cornhill Quarter, to do a jubilee themed window display.
Smiths The Jewellers is a traditional family-run business selling a wide range of jewellery, both new and pre-owned, as well as buying unwanted and broken jewellery. The shop will also offer services such as repairs, alterations and valuations.
The four employees will move over to the new shop and two new jobs have also been created.
Business owner Sonya Smith is the third generation of a family of jewellers and she told The Lincolnite: “We had some amazing customers in Newark, and also who travelled from Lincoln. We are excited to be opening in Lincoln.
“The Cornhill Quarter is vibrant and such a nice place to be and will allow us to expand. We are a great family business with a lot of loyal followers.”
The trial of a Skegness woman who denies causing the death of Nottingham Trent University student Hope Starsmore by dangerous driving has been put back until next year.
Rebecca Porter, 33, of Cottesmore Close, Skegness, was due to go on trial at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27. Her trial was expected to last four days.
However a pre-trial hearing at Lincoln Crown Court was today (Friday) told more time is needed to gather evidence from expert witnesses.
Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Ms Porter her trial would now be listed at Lincoln Crown Court on April 17 next year.
Granting Ms Porter unconditional bail Judge Sjolin Knight explained to her: “Unfortunately there is very little realistic prospect of this trial being ready for June 27.
“I know that is difficult for you. I am sure it is also difficult for the family of the lady who was killed.”
At a previous hearing in October last year Porter pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Ms Starsmore on October 7, 2020 by dangerous driving on the A158 at Burgh le Marsh, near Skegness.
Ms Starsmore was rushed to hospital after a collision in Skegness Road, Burgh le Marsh, at around 8.15am on Wednesday, October 7.
Despite multiple operations, doctors were unable to save her and she died eight days after the crash.
Ms Starsmore had just started a course in medical science at Nottingham Trent University and wanted to become a paramedic.
Due to coronavirus, she had decided to live at home in Skegness and study. She also opted to commute to Nottingham once a week.
She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the crash and placed in a medically-induced coma.
Her brother and her partner had been travelling with her on their way to Nottingham Trent University and received minor injuries.
Despite having moved to the Lincolnshire seaside, Hope had grown up in Corby, Northamptonshire.
Porter will next appear at Lincoln Crown Court on June 27 for a further pre-trial hearing.