Calendar will help ageing canine cops in Cheshire

Oct 7 2010 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

SNIFFING Springer Spaniels and ageing Alsations are being used to draw attention to the plight of retired police dogs.

The crime-solving canines lead much more punishing lives than their domestic lap dog counterparts, and therefore require more care and attention when they eventually hang up their police-issue collars.

The Retired Cheshire Police Dogs Benevolent Fund was set up this year to raise funds to assist in the medical care of retired Cheshire Constabulary police hounds.

PC Sam Nevett, from Tarvin, helped set up the Fund.

She said: “When they retire, Cheshire Constabulary ceases to pay for those animals. It’s all down to the handlers, who the majority of the time keep hold of the dogs.

“The scheme was set up to help out the handlers with vets fees that might be incurred with the older dogs.

“Most of them are cute pictures – of dogs running through ponds, one in the shower and one next to Santa for December.

“General purpose dogs are used for tracking and finding offenders, stolen cars and burglaries, public order situations, football matches or people violent with knives and deploying to firearms incidents as well.

“They retire due to illness or injury and old age, which itself brings increased vets bills.”

Cheshire Constabulary currently have 33 dogs on their books who can all look forward to a retirement with better support in place.

Each page in the 12-month calendar has been sponsored by Cheshire businesses including Chester Zoo.

The calendar costs £7.50 with all proceeds going to the fund. They can be purchased from Sheaf Farm Shop, High Street, Tarvin and Sheaf Farm Shop, Stapleford or call 01244 612682 or 01244 612685 to order.